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THE  KEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY! 


ASTOR,  LENOX 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS 


///./  /<///     ///////////' 


Court  Circles  of  the  Republic, 


OU   TOE 


BEAUTIES  AND  CELEBRITIES 

OF    THE    NATION; 

ILLUSTRATING  LIFE   AND   SOCIETY   UNDER   EIGHTEEN    PRESIDENTS  ; 

DESCRIBING  THE  SOCIAL  FEATURES  OF  THE  SUCCESSIVE. 

ADMINISTRATIONS  FROM 

WASHINQTON    TO    GRANT; 


THE    DRAWING-ROOM    CIRCLES  ;     THE    PROMIXEXT    STATESMEN   AKD    LEADING 

ladies;      THE     BRILLIANT     BELLES    AND    DISTINGUISHED     VISITORS; 

THE     PRINCIPAL     ENTERTAINMENTS;     FASHIONABLE    STYLES 

OF   DRESS  ;    MANNERS  ;    ETIQUETTE  ;   ANECDOTES  ; 

INCIDENTS;    ETC.;    ETC. 


Illustrated  with  Original  Portraits,  splendidly  Engraved  on  Steel. 


-f 


Bt   Mks.   E.   F.   ELLET, 

AUTHOR  OF   "THE  WOMEN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION;"  "THE  QUEENS 
AMERICAN   SOCIETY,"   ETC.,   ETC. 

TVITII    SKETCHES 

By   Mrs.    R.    E.    MACK. 


SOLD    BY    SUBSCRIPTION    ONLY. 


PHILADELPHIA   PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 
No.  920  Market  Street, 

PHILADELPHIA. 


THE  KEW  yo;;k 
PUBLIC  LIBRAR^^' 

703860 

ASTOR,    LENOX   AND 

TILDiN  FOUNDATIONS 

R  1915  L 


TO 

Mrs.    LEVI   WOODBUHY, 

VnOSE  IXFLUEXCE  IX  THE   COUBT  CIRCLES  HAS  EVER  BEEIT  SO 

GRACIOUS,     REFIXIXO,    AXD    BEXEFICENT, 

AXD    WHOSE    BEAUTIFCIi 

HOME  LIFE 

13   A    BLESSIXG   TO  ALL  WHO  KXOW  HER, 

THIS    VOLUME 


PREFACE. 


Lord  Napier  remarked  to  a  distinguished  lady  in  WasK- 
ington,  that  a  book  descriptive  of  Society  in  the  National  Cap- 
ital oujxht  to  be  written ;  and  that  a  faithful  record  would 
give  a  better  idea  of  the  spirit  and  character  of  the  period 
than  any  history.  Except  of  the  earliest  "Eepublican 
Court,"  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  portray  the  social 
character  of  any  administration.  In  this  effort  to  supply  a 
lamented  defect,  the  necessary  descriptions  and  sketches  have 
been  condensed  as  much  as  possible,  and  no  memoirs  have 
been  included  of  men  whose  biographies  have  been  elsewhere 
given  to  the  public.  The  aim  has  been  to  exhibit  statesmen, 
leading  ladies,  etc.,  in  their  drawing-room  aspect,  with  only 
notices  sufficient  to  illustrate  their  appearance  and  influence 
at  special  times.  Thus  mention  is  made  repeatedly  of  the 
same  persons  under  different  administrations. 

Imperfect  as  a  brief  survey  must  necessarily  be,  it  will  be 
found  that  a  fair  idea  of  an  administration  can  be  gained  by 
a  view  of  its  fashionable  life  and  every-day  social  habits.  A 
great  difference  will  be  perceived  in  the  terms  of  the  Presi- 
dents, traceable  in  some  dc^rree  to  the  influence  of  the  Execu- 


PREFACE. 

tive,  but  far  more  to  those  ■who  surrounded  him,  and  most  of 
all  to  the  ladies  who  ruled  In  the  fashionable  coteries,  and 
gave  the  laws  in  assemblages,  dress,  and  entertainments. 
The  attention  bestowed  on  these  last  may  seem  dispropor- 
tionate to  those  who  do  not  estimate  their  effect ;  those  who 
remember  the  large  share  they  occupy  in  the  delineation  of 
any  period,  will  not  charge  the  author  with  a  frivolous  taste 
in  dwelling  on  them. 

So  vast  a  variety  of  sources  of  information  have  been  con- 
sulted for  this  work,  that  a  list  of  them  w^ould  be  tedious ; 
and  it  avIU  no  doubt  be  more  agreeable  to  the  reader  to  be 
spared  the  enumeration.  Letters  and  journals  of  the  time 
have  been  especially  used.  In  some  cases  access  has  been 
had  to  valuable  family  papers,  throwing  light  on  the  subject 
illustrated. 

The  use  of  the  term  "  Court-Circles,"  can  hardly  be  cen- 
sured, as  it  conveys  exactly  the  meaning  intended — the  cir- 
cles surrounding  the  President,  and  most  conspicuous  in  the 
capital — and  no  other  expression  could  be  found  to  answer  so 
well. 


CONTENTS 


I.  WASHINGTON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

PAGE. 

Establishment  of  the  First  Presidential  Court — Imposing  Spectacle 
of  the  Inauguration — Brilliant  Festivities  in  Honor  of  it — Arrival 
of  Mrs.  Washington  and  Mrs.  Robert  Morris — First  Levee — The 
President's  Equipage — Prominent  Ladies  and  Statesmen — Dress 
of  the  President  at  his  Official  Receptions — Style  of  Ordinary- 
Ones — Mrs.  Izard — Mrs.  Knox — Alexander  Hamilton — Robert 
INIorris — Gouverneur  Morris — Mrs.  Burr — Attorneys  and  Divines 
in  New  York — Edmund  Randolph — John  Jay — Jefferson,  Sec- 
retary of  State — Cliarles  Carroll  of  Maryland — The  Misses  White 
— Party  at  Mr.  White's — The  Best  Dressed  Gentleman — New 
Year's  Calls — The  President  drawn  by  Six  Horses  to  Federal 
Hall — Death  of  Franklin — Removal  of  the  Capital  from  New 
York  to  Philadelphia — House  assigned  to  the  President — Bril- 
liant Society — Mrs.  Bingham  and  other  Leaders  of  the  Ton — 
Conspicuous  Men  of  the  Period — Foreign  Visitors  of  exalted 
Rank — The  Farewell  Levee — Deportment  in  the  Drawing-room 
a  reflex  of  Temper  in  the  Cabinet  and  Congress, 15 

II.  JOHN  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

Mrs.  Adams'  Description  of  Her  Philadelphia  Residence — A  Pres- 
idential Drawing-room — Mr.  Adams  at  a  Dinner  at  Mr.  Bingham's 
— A  Singular  Incident — The  Inauguration — Departure  of  General 
and  Mrs.  Washington — Character  of  Mrs.  Adams — Presiding  in 
the  Executive  ^lansion — Gayeties  of  the  City — Routs  and  Tea 
and  Cards — Gambling  customary  at  Parties — An  honored  Visitor 
in  Mrs.  Adams'  Circle — Removal  of  the  Capital  to  Washington — 
Descriptions  of  the  "  Wilderness  City  " — Mrs.  Adams'  Lively 
Picture — Inconveniences  and  Privations — Marcia  Burns  a  noted 
Belle — Married  to  J.  P.  Van  Ness — Samuel  Dexter — Mrs.  Adams 
in  after  Life, 42 


VI  CONTENTS. 


IIL     JEFFERSON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

PiLOK. 

The  two  great  Parties— The  Widow  Skelton — The  Musical  Court- 
ship— The  Bridal  Festivities — The  Snow-storm — Jefferson's 
Equipage — Fashions  in  Dress — The  Inauguration— Absence  of 
Court  Ceremony — Vain  Protest  of  Ladies  against  the  abolition 
of  Levees — Social  Etiquette — Complaint  of  the  British  Minister 
of  uncivil  Treatment — Tom  Moore's  Indignation  and  Abuse  of 
Americans — Burr's  Treason — The  President's  Courtesy — The 
old  Man  at  the  Ferry — The  Kentuckian  won  over — Josiah 
Quincy's  Experiences — Why  the  Barbers  were  Federalists — 
Personal  Appearance  of  Jefferson  and  Madison — Hospitality  at 
Monticello — •'  Country  Gentleman  "  Style  of  Living — Domestic 
Life  of  the  Ex-President — Illustrative  Anecdotes — Death  of  Jef- 
ferson— Interesting  Case  of  Virginia  Murray — Character  of  John 
Randolph — His  Declamation  and  piquant  Wit — The  Irishman 
who  sought  his  Acquaintance — Amusing  Anecdotes,      ....     57 

ly.     MADISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Condition  of  the  City  of  Washington — Heterogeneous  Elements  of 
Society — Mrs.  Madison's  Influence — Accession  to  the  Presidency 
— Beauty  and  Fashion  at  the  Drawing-rooms — The  OfRce  Seeker 
satisfied  with  old  Clothes — First  Visit  of  AVilliam  C.  Preston 
to  the  White  House — A  Bashful  Boy— The  Grace  and  Beauty  of 
the  Hostess — Her  maternal  Claim  to  the  Lad — His  Introduction 
to  the  Belles — Miss  INLiyo  (afterwards  Mrs.  Scott)  and  Miss 
Coles — The  Cavalier  made  Useful  —  Domestic  Habits  of  the 
Rulers — The  raw  Youth  at  the  Reception — Remarkable  States- 
men of  the  Time — The  War  witli  Great  Britain — Details  of 
Dr.  Beans'  Adventure — Francis  Key  to  the  Rescue — "The 
Star-Spangled  Banner  " — The  News  of  Peace — Brilliant  Party 
and  queenly  Beauty  of  the  Hostess — Court  Etiquette  towards 
Foreigners, 80 

V.     MONROE'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Monroe  a  Representative  of  an  Age  prolific  in  Great  Men — The 
Eulogy  of  Peyton  and  Adams— The  Old  Man  at  the  Polls — 
Inauguration  of  Monroe — His  Cabinet — The  Dress  of  the  Period 
— "  The  Last  of  the  Cocked  Hats  " — Curious  Reminiscence  at 
the  first  Levee — ^lonroe's  Character — ]\Iadison's  Anecdote  of 
the  Dutchmen — Henry  Clay  a  rising  Man — Calhoun  in  his  Youth 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

PAGK. 

—  Men  of  Note — Judge  Marshall — William  II.  Crawford  — 
Thomas  H.  Benton  and  Others — The  Quarrel  of  the  British 
and  French  Ministers  at  a  Court  Dinner — Lighting  of  the 
Executive  Mansion — Extinction  of  the  Federal  Party — Mrs. 
Monroe  and  her  accomplished  Daughters — Mr.  Crawford's  Re- 
buff by  the  President — Female  Society  in  Washington — Letter 
of  Lord  Holland  introducing  two  young  Gentlemen  of  Rank 
— The  Presidential  Campaign — Disinterestedness  of  Monroe — 
Letter  of  La  Fayette — His  Offer  of  Aid  declined — The  Grand- 
children of  Monroe — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gouverneur — Sketch  of  Mrs. 
Wingate, Of* 

VI.     JOHN  QUINCr  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

Jefferson's  Opinion  of  Adams — His  previous  Career — Dress  in  the 
Senate — As  Secretary  of  State — Mrs.  Adams — Her  Influence  on 
Society — Personal  Appearance  of  Adams — Anecdotes — Levee 
after  the  Counting  of  the  Electoral  Votes — Meeting  between  the 
President  and  Jackson — The  Inauguration — Re-opening  of  the 
old  Controversy  of  Parties — Duel  between  Clay  and  Randolph 
■ — The  Gossip  discreet  for  once — Effects  of  early  Rising — New 
Year's  Receptions — The  Congressional  Library  a  Lounging-place 
— Etiquette  at  Presidential  Parties — Party  at  the  British  Minis- 
ter's— Brilliant  one  given  by  the  Secretary  of  War — Remarks 
of  a  Belle  of  Jefferson's  days — Description  of  the  '*  Court  of  the 
younger  Adams  " — Soiree  given  by  the  Dutch  Minister — Ran- 
dolph's Praise  of  Poverty — Prominent  Statesmen  and  reigning 
Belles — The  Premier's  last  Party  for  the  season — Mrs.  Secretary 
Porter — Mr.  Clay's  Party — Character  of  Mr.  Adams,    ....  123 

VII.     JACKSON'S   ADMINISTRATION. 

Jackson's  Election  by  an  overpowering  Majority — Death  of  his 
Wife — His  Inauguration  —  His  Cabinet — Scandal  about  Mrs. 
Eaton — The  Suitor  for  the  President's  Pipe — Conspicuous  Men 
— Ladies  of  the  White  House — Webster's  Oratory  and  the 
Farmers — Albert  Gallatin  and  his  Compeers — Description  of 
Georgetown — Excursion  to  Norfolk — Fanny  Wright  as  a  Lec- 
turer— Specific  to  change  Negroes  to  white  Persons — Festivi- 
ties of  the  Capital — Jackson's  celebrated  Toast  at  a  Dinner — 
Refusal  of  the  Ladies  to  visit  Mrs.  Eaton — A  Philadelphian  who 
thought  the  Senate's  rising  was  in  Honor  of  him — Changes  in 
the  Cabinet — Party  at  Pointdexter's — Descriptions  and  Anec- 
dotes of  General  Jackson — Threatening  of  Nullification — Mr. 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Clay  and  Mr.  Calhoun — Death  of  John  Randolph — His  Charac- 
ter and  last  Hours — Visit  of  the  Portuguese  Minister  to  the 
President, 113 

Ylir.     JACKSON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Party  at  Secretary  Woodbury's — Social  Etiquette — The  Presi- 
dent crowded  from  his  own  Table — Popular  Churches — Mr. 
Cass's  Party — New  Year's  Levee — Amos  Kendall — Mrs.  Florida 
White — Presidential  Ball  and  Supper — Mrs.  Huntington — Mrs. 
Johnston — Mrs.  Benton's  Coteries  —  Miss  Cora  Livingston — 
Memoir  of  Mrs.  Benton — Her  Succor  of  a  poor  Girl — The  mad 
Woman's  attempt  to  kill  her,  to  save  her  from  the  Ills  of  Life — 
Mr.  Benton's  timely  Interposition — Mrs.  Benton's  Liberation  of 
her  Slaves — Curious  scene  of  the  Execution  of  the  Expunging 
Resolution — "  Spat "  between  Mr.  Buchanan  and  Mr.  Clay — 
Society  and  Manners  in  Washington — Etiquette  of  Parties — 
Amusing  Account  of  a  fashionable  Soiree — The  rough  Ken- 
tuckian  and  his  "Jane" — The  deaf  Foreign  Minister  and 
the  Belle  —  Nicholas  Biddle — Tableau  party  in  Georgetown 
—  The  eccentric  Secretary  of  the  Navy — Gorgeous  Fancy 
Ball — First  attempt  at  a  Masquerade — Mrs.  Forsyth e's  Parties 
— Mrs.  Woodbury's — Brilliant  one  in  Baltimore — Miss  Martin- 
cau  and  her  Tube  —  Santa  Anna — Scene  in  the  Gallery  — 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court — Scene  in  the  Library  —  The 
Big  Cheese — Amusing  Anecdotes  of  Jackson's  Determination 
— Memoir  of  Mrs.  Edward  Livingston — Memoir  of  Mrs.  Levi 
Woodbury, 1G9 

IX.     VAN  BUREN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

The  new  President's  wifeless  Condition  a  Difficulty  to  meeting  the 
Claims  of  Society — Mrs.  General  Macomb's  splendid  Party — La- 
dies conspicuous  for  Fashion  and  Beauty — The  Rival  Generals 
— The  Inauguration,  and  Ball — Noted  Men  of  the  Time — "  Con- 
necticut Niles  " — Indian  Delegation — Calhoun  and  Preston — Mrs. 

,  Madison's  Return  to  Washington  —  The  Diplomatic  Corps — 
Scene  in  the  (Tallery — Exciting  Scene  in  the  House  —  New 
Year's  Receptions — Mrs.  Adams  and  INIrs.  Madison — Hugh  Le- 
gare — The  Jam  in  the  Galleries — Mrs.  Kendall's  Party — Mrs. 
Paulding— Mrs.  General  Scott— Mrs.  De  Witt  Clinton— Mrs. 
Gales — Mrs.  Seton — Mrs.  Dickens — Mrs.  IMacomb — The  Cilley 
Duel — Scene   at    Mrs.   Towson's    Party  —  Calhoun,   Clay   and 


CONTENTS.  ix 

PAQE. 

Webster  in  Competition — Mrs.  Schaumburg — The  Prince  de 
Joiuvilie — Brilliant  Party  at  ^I.  de  Bodisco's — Scene  at  a  Presi- 
dential Levee — Vespucci  at  a  Cabinet  Dinner — The  White 
House  on  Fire  —  A  ''  Locofoco  Jam  "  —  Madam  Calderon's 
Musical  Party  —  Mr.  Preston  —  The  Birthnight  Ball,  and 
Catastrophe  of  the  Chandelier- — Grand  Closing  Fete — Clay 
and  Van  Burcn — Marriage  of  M.  de  Bodisco  —  The  Chinese 
Mandarin  at  the  Spanish  Minister's  Party, 234 

X.     HARRISON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Grand  Jubilee  in  honor  of  Harrison's  Election — The  President's 
Dinner — Crowds  to  witness  the  Inauguration — "  The  Father 
of   the   House" — "An  unruly  Set  of    Boys'' — Major  Barney 

—  The  three  Generals  Candidates  for  the  Succession  —  The 
Farmer  and  the  President — Heiresses  and  Beauties — Phases 
of  Society  in  Washington  —  The  Southern  Aristocracy  and 
the  Official  Circles — Forms  and  Barriers  swept  away  by  the 
Russian  Minister  —  The  Circle  Professional  —  Deatli  of  the 
President — The  Military  Funeral — The  Ladies  of  the  Family 
— Fears  for  Mrs.  Harrison — Third  time  of  Tyler's  stepping 
into  Place  by  the  Death  of  the  Incumbent — His  Arrival  in 
Washington  and  takiug  of  the  Oath  of  Office  —  Character  of 
President  ILirrison, 282 

XL    TYLER'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Confidence  in  John  Tyler — A  Model  of  Courtesy  and  Dignity — 
The  weather-beaten  Englishman — Scene  at  Tyler's  Home — Ru- 
jnors  of  the  British  Minister's  Marriage — The  Ladies  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Mansion — Mrs.  Robert  Tyler — Extracts  from  her  Letters 
describing  Life  at  the  White  House — Receptions — The  first  Di- 
plomatic Dinner — The  City  full  of  splendid  Women — A  Lad^-'s 
Conversation  with  the  President — Summer  Assemblages  in  the 
Executive  Grounds,  with  Music — The  Fourth  of  July — Fashion- 
able Belles  and  Statesmen  on  the  Promenade,  at  the  rural 
Reunions — Fancy  of  the  Negroes  about  the  Veto — Political 
Disagreements  no  Bar  to  Social  Gaycty — Incident  at  Mrs. 
Crittenden's  Party  —  Mrs.  Bell's  Party  in  August  —  Mrs. 
Robert  Tyler's  Description  of  her  New  Year's  Reception, 
and  of  Madame  Bodisco's  Party,  and  tlie  Ball  in  the  Theater 

—  Lord  Morpeth  at  Dinner  at  the  White  House  —  Justices 
of  the  Supreme    Court — Party   at   the   "  Mess "  at  Kennedy's 


X  CONTENTS. 

VAOR. 

—  The   Butcher  at   the   President's  —  Mrs.   Tyler's   Reception 
for  Dickens, 296 

XII.  TYLER'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Clay's  Adieu  to  the  Senate — Lord  Ashburton's  Arrival — Men  prom- 
inent in  the  Court  Circle — Mrs.  Robert  Tyler's  Letter  after  the 
Death  of  her  Mother-in-Law — Seven  Thousand  at  the  New 
Year's  Levee,  1843 — Webster's  Reception — Receptions  of  Mr. 
Adams  and  Mrs.  Tayloe — Mrs.  Tyler's  amusing  Description  of 
her  Party  and  Supper  given  to  Marshal  Bertrand — a  Juvenile 
Fancy  Ball  at  the  White  House — "  The  Washington  Assemblies" 
organized — Ladies  most  admired — The  new  British  Minister — 
Ole  Bull — Receptions  by  the  Secretaries — Mrs.  Gouverneur's 
splendid  Party — Self-styled  Leaders  who  were  Parvenues — Bril- 
liant Entertainments — General  McDuffie — Captain  Stockton — 
Madame  Pageot's  Party,  and  Disappointment  of  the  Expecta- 
tions of  a  Parisian  Supper — The  Excursion  on  board  "the 
Princeton  " — Terrible  Catastrophe — Mrs.  Madison's  Party  in  May 
— The  Marriage  of  President  Tyler  to  Miss  Gardiner — Memoir 
of  the  Bride — Mr.  Pakenham's  Entertainment — The  new  Presi- 
dent elect— Grand  Ball  given  by  Mrs.  John  Tyler — Colonel  and 
Mrs.  Tuley  of  Virginia, 337 

XIII.  POLK'S  AD3IINISTRATI0N. 

Progress  of  the  President  elect  to  Washington — ]Mrs.  Polk  and 
Mrs.  Knox  Walker — Visit  to  President  Tyler — The  Inaugura- 
tion— Mrs.  Tyler's  last  Reception — Inauguration  Balls — Grace 
and  Dignity  of  Mrs.  Polk  in  receiving  at  the  White  House — Mr. 
Dallas — An  "  April  Fool  "  Joke — Curious  Habits  of  Mr.  Fox — 
Spring  Evenings  at  the  President's — INIrs.  Abraham  Van  Buren 
— The  May  Balls — Madame  Pageot's  Graduation  of  Aristocracy 
— Prominent  Statesmen — The  Wisconsin  Office-seeker — Louis 
McLane — Mrs.  Polk's  Elegance  of  Dress  and  Manner — George 
Bancroft — Jimmy  Maher's  Opinion  of  Mr.  Polk  and  the  La- 
dies— The  Pottawattamies — Mrs.  INIaury's  Introduction  at  the 
Court — Descriptions  of  Mr.  Polk  and  the  prominent  States- 
men of  the  Period — Conversation  with  Calhoun  about  the 
Union — Visit  to  Mr.  Clay — A  populous  New  Year's  Proces- 
sion— General  Cass  and  other  Orators — The  Misses  Sloman 
— The  Hero  of  Chippewa — Death  of  John  Quincy  Adams  and 
Dixon  H.  Lewis, 368 


CONTENTS.  X4 


XIV.     TAYLOR'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

PAOB. 

Character  of  General  Taylor — Mrs.  Taylor — Their  Children — Resi- 
dence at  Baton  Rouge — Meeting  of  Taylor  and  Clay — The  Rush 
of  Office-Seekers  to  the  New  Orleans  Tailor  to  put  their  Peti- 
tions in  "  Old  Zach's  "  Pockets — Setting  out  of  the  Ladies  for 
Washington — Progress  of  the  President  Elect — Afoul  of  a  Snag 
— Landing  and  Rustic  Reception — Accident  on  board  a  Steam- 
boat— President  Polk's  last  Levee — Amusing  Visit  of  General 
Cass  to  President  Taylor — His  personal  Appearance— Ladies 
of  his  Party — Inauguration  Ceremonies — Comical  Description 
of  the  Ball — The  Cabinet — Death  of  General  Gaines — Return  of 
Henry  Clay — The  Osage  Indians  at  the  White  House  and  at 
their  Hotel — Senator  Fremont — Amusing  Scene  in  the  Senate — 
Sir  Henry  Lytton  Bulwer — Death  of  Mr.  Calhoun — Death  of 
President  Taylor — His  Obsequies — His  Career, 411 

XV.     FILLMORE'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Mr.  Fillmore's  Mother  a  Woman  of  superior  Intellect — Hereditary- 
Virtue  a  Patent  of  Nobility — Appearance  of  Mr.  Fillmore — His 
Public  Services  and  prominent  Position  in  Congress— His  noble 
Character — His  Dignity  and  Urbanity  as  Vice-President — Acces- 
sion to  the  Presidency — His  Plan  for  the  Extension  of  the  Capi- 
tol— Various  Exploring  Expeditions  sent  out — Eminently  com- 
bines the  Requisites  for  a  great  and  able  Chief  Magistrate — 
Mrs.  Henry  L.  Scott — Visit  of  Kossuth  to  Washington — Dinner 
given  him  by  the  President — Thirty-six  Guests — Seward's  En- 
tertainment for  him — Dancing  of  Lola  Montez  at  the  Theater 
appreciated  by  Fashionable  Ladies — Death  of  Henry  Clay — Me- 
moir of  Mrs.  Fillmore — Personal  Appearance — Official  Dinners 
every  Week,  and  Morning  Receptions — Mrs.  Fillmore's  early 
Life — Romantic  first  Acquaintance  with  young  Fillmore — Do- 
mestic Tastes  of  the  lovely  young  Wife — Her  Presidency  at  the 
White  House— Her  Death  in  Washington, 432 

XVI.     PIERCE'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Excitement  at  Pierce's  Nomination  — Delicate  Health  of  Mrs. 
Pierce— Habits  of  the  President  Elect— Early  Life  and  beauti- 
ful Character  of  Mrs.  Pierce— Her  Devotion  to  the  Duties  of 
her  Station — The  Accident  that  made  her  childless — Departure 
of  Pierce  for  Washington — Webster,  the  private  Secretary — 
General  Pierce  in  New  York,  and  Evasion  of  his  Pursuers— A 


Xil  CONTENTS. 

thousand  Visitors  in  Philadelphia— His  Cabinet— The  last  Night 
in  Congress — Scene  of  the  Inauguration — Sketch  of  General 
Pierce  and  the  Vice-President — Secretary  Marcy— The  other 
Secretaries — Entertainment  given  by  the  Brazilian  Minister — 
Array  of  Beauty — Presidential  and  Cabinet  Doings  anatomized 
at  the  Tea-tables— Judge  Douglas  and  Beverly  Tucker— Diplo- 
matic Dinner — Splendid  Parties  in  Washington — Mrs.  Jeflferson 
Davis— The  Belles  and  their  Toilets— Grouping  of  the  fair  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  different  Sections— Governor  Aiken's  grand 
Party— Amusing  Story  of  the  British  Minister— Marriage  of 
Senator  Douglas — Mrs.  Douglas — Stirring  Scene  on  Thanks- 
giving Morning — General  Houston  —  Reception  at  Secretary 
McClelland's— Senator  Butler,  of  South  Carolina— Mrs.  Guth- 
rie's Party — Anecdotes, 447 

XVII.     BUCHANAN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

The  "  Pilgrims  "  to  Wheatland — Dan  Dougherty — Fancy  Charac- 
ters assumed  by  the  Ladies  at  a  Ball  in  Washington — Excite- 
ment in  the  Federal  City — Procession  of  Citizens  to  escort  the 
President  Elect — The  Inauguration — The  Mysterious  Old  Man 
at  Capitol  Hill — Sketch  of  Buchanan  and  Breckenridge — Gen- 
eral Lewis  Cass — Other  Members  of  the  Cabinet — Arrival  of 
Lord  and  Lady  Napier — Miss  Harriet  Lane's  first  Reception — 
First  Dinner  Party — Lord  Napier's  Hospitality — Mrs.  Alexan- 
der Slidell — Mrs.  Rose  Greenhow — New  Regime  at  the  White 
House — Superb  Entertainment  at  Governor  Brown's — Sir  Wil- 
liam and  Lady  Ouseley — The  Elite  of  Society  at  Secretary 
Thompson's  —  Ladies  Described — The  Charming  Miss  Ellen 
Woodbury — Lady  Napier's  Party — Scene  in  the  Gallery  to  hear 
the  Vote  on  the  Kansas  Question — Lord  Napier's  Party  to  Mr. 
Everett — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Eames — Mrs.  Pickens,  ....  478 

XVIII.  BUCHANAN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 
The  Expected  Visit  of  the  Prince  of  Wales — His  Arrival — Gen- 
eral Cass  introduced  by  Lord  Lyons — The  Prince  at  the  White 
House — Visits  the  Capital — Reception  in  Honor  of  Him — Game 
at  Ten-pins  with  Miss  Lane — Diplomatic  Dinner,  and  Evening 
Reception — The  Prince  at  the  Tomb  of  Washington — Dinner 
at  Lord  Lyons' — The  Prince  a  ''Heart-smasher" — Sketch  of 
Harriet  Lane — Her  Marriage — Letter  of  Queen  Victoria — Of 
the  Prince  of  W^ales — Political  Excitement — Mr.  Crittenden's 
Great  Speech — His  Dinner  Party — Senator  Toombs  and  Gen- 


CONTENTS.  Xlii 

PAGE. 

eral  Scott — The  President's  last  Levee — Display  of  Martial 
Preparation  around  Washington — The  Peace  Commissioners — 
Imposing  Scene  of  Counting  the  Electoral  Votes — Noted  Men 
present  and  their  Manifestations  of  Interest  —  Douglas  and 
Lane — Abraham  Lincoln  declared  President — Quiet  dispersion 
of  the  People, 502 

XIX.  LINCOLN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Dangers  ahead  for  the  New  President — Visitors  to  him  in  Spring- 
field— The  Delegates  to  the  Washington  Conference — Farewell 
Party  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln — Sketch  of  Mrs.  Lincoln — 
Progress  to  Washington — The  President's  Military  Escort — 
Gorgeous  Reception  in  New  York — Ladies  of  Mrs.  Lincoln's 
Party — General  Doniphan  and  "  Old  Abe" — Notices  of  Lincoln 
and  his  Cabinet — Gorgeous  Scene  of  the  Inauguration — Attend- 
ance at  the  Ball — Appearance  of  Mrs.  Lincoln  and  other  La- 
dies— The  first  Levee  a  "  Monster  Gathering" — An  English 
Tourist's  Description  of  Lincoln — Other  Prominent  Men — Mr. 
Sumner — Mr.  Stanton — Wendell  Phillips — Alexander  H.  Ste- 
phens— Lincoln's  humorous  Advice  to  Lord  Lyons — Crowded 
New  Year's  Reception — Hon.  James  W.  Wliite — Mrs.  Farra- 
gut — Hon.  Judge  Brewster — Financial  Movements, 521 

XX.  JOHNSON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Social  Reaction  from  the  Depression  caused  by  the  War — The 
fashionable  Season  a  Carnival — Changes  in  Society — Andrew 
Johnson  and  his  Family — New  Years,  1866 — Prominent  La- 
dies— The  French  Minister's  Party — Marriage  of  Mrs.  Doug- 
las— Madame  Le  Vert  and  her  Daughters — Opening  Receptions 
of  the  next  January — Mrs.  Sprague — Receptions  at  Chief-Justice 
Chase's — Celebrities  and  Beauties — Hon.  Alex.  W.  Randall — 
Mrs.  Randall — Mrs.  Grant's  Dress  and  Receptions — A  new 
Feature  at  the  White  House — The  Foreign  Ministers — Fash- 
ionable Gayety  at  its  toppling  Height — Party  at  Admiral  Lee's — 
Splendid  Party  at  General  Butler's — At  Senator  Morgan's,  &c. — 
Last  Reception  of  the  President — Mrs.  Dahlgren's  Reunions — 
Mrs.  Pomeroy — Mrs.  Henderson — Mrs.  Williams — Mrs.  Gaines 
— Rush  to  the  Capital, 550 

XXL     GRANT'S  ADMINISTRATION. 
Last  Reception  of  the  retiring  President — Ladies'  Dresses — IMrs. 
Thomas — Inauguration  Day — The   Procession  and   Pageants — 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Surviving  Soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812— The  Ship  of  State— The 
crowded  Ball — Dresses  of  the  Ladies — The  Generals  present — 
Too  crowded  for  Comfort — Incident  in  New  Orleans — General 
Gaines'  gallant  Defense  of  his  Wife — The  partial  Judge — The 
Advocate  of  "  Women's  llights  " — Mrs.  Gaines*  Interview  with 
her,  and  sensible  Reproof  of  her  Conduct — Ole  Bull  again — The 
Cabinet — Mrs.  Walworth — Mrs.  Gates — Sketch  of  Mrs.  Grant — 
Her  first  Reception  in  the  White  House — Dresses  of  the  Ladies 
— Second  Reception — Reception  of  Applicants  for  Office,  &c.,  at 
the  White  House — Mrs.  Dix's  Reception  to  Mr.  Washburne — 
Mrs.  Robb — Mr.  Philp's  Entertainment, 568 


The  Court  Circles  of  the  Republic- 


WASHINGTON'S   ADMINISTRATION. 

Establishment  of  the  First  Presidential  Court — Imposing  Spectacle  of 
the  Inauguration — Brilliant  Festivities  in  Honor  of  it^ Arrival  of 
Mrs.  Washington  and  Mrs.  Robert  Morris — First  Levee — The  Presi- 
dent's Equipage — Prominent  Ladies  and  Statesmen — Dress  of  the 
President  at  his  Official  Receptions — Style  of  Ordinary  Ones — Mrs 
Izard — Mrs.  Knox — Alexander  Hamilton — Robert  Morris — Gouv- 
erneur  Morris — Mrs.  Burr — Attorneys  and  Divines  in  I^ew  York — 
Edmund  Randolph — John  Jay — Jefferson,  Secretary  of  State — 
Charles  Carroll  of  Maryland — The  Misses  White — Party  at  Mr. 
White's — The  Best  Dressed  Gentleman — New  Year's  Calls — The 
President  drawn  by  Six  Horses  to  Federal  Hall — Death  of 
Franklin — Removal  of  the  Capital  from  Kew  York  to  Philadel- 
phia— House  assigned  to  the  President — Brilliant  Society — Mrs. 
Bingham  and  other  Leaders  of  the  Ton — Conspicuous  Men  of  the 
Period — Foreign  Visitors  of  exalted  Rank — The  Farewell  Levee — 
Deportment  in  the  Drawing-rouni  a  reflex  of  Temper  in  the  Cabi- 
net and  Congress. 

Mrs.  Washingtox  is  venerated  as  the  earliest 
representative  leader  among  the  ladies  prominent  in 
*the  best  society  of  the  Eepublic.  When  the  Chief 
was  summoned  by  the  nation  to  assume  the  duties 
of  its  Chief  Magistrate,  she  came  to  form  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  President  at  the  seat  of  government. 

In  March  and  April  1780,  the  meeting  of  the  first 
Congress  under  the  Constitution  took  place,  and  the 


16  Washington's  administration. 

votes  for  the  first  President  of  the  United  States 
were  opened  and  counted.  Gen.  Washington  being 
notified  of  his  election,  left  Mount  Yernon  for  New 
i^'ork,  greeted  all  along  the  way  by  the  irrepressible 
enthusiasm  of  the  people.  Received  with  due  honors 
at  the  Capital,  he  was  conducted  to  his  official  resi- 
dence, at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Cherry  Street 
and  Franklin  Square.  The  imposing  spectacle  of  the 
Inauguration  took  place  with  appropriate  ceremonies 
in  Federal  Hall,  April  30,  1789.  The  oath  of  office 
was  administered  by  Chancellor  Livingston.  In  the 
evening  the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  there 
was  a  display  of  fire-works.  Afterwards  rules  were 
established  for  receiving  visitors  and  entertaining  com- 
pany. At  first  a  public  intimation  was  given  that 
the  President  would  receive  visitors  on  Tuesdays  and 
Fridays,  from  two  to  three  in  the  afternoon.  Con- 
sulting friends,  he  adopted  chiefly  Mr.  Hamilton's 
suggestions  in  social  matters ;  and  it  was  decided 
that  the  President  should  return  no  A^isits,  and  that 
invitations  to  dinner  should  be  given  only  to  official 
characters  and  strangers  of  distinction.  The  levees 
were  held  every  Tuesday  afternoon. 

On  the  7th  of  May  a  splendid  ball  was  given  at 
the  assembly-rooms,  at  which  the  President  and  Vice- 
President  appeared,  with  many  members  of  both 
Houses  of  Congress,  the  foreign  ministers,  and  dis- 
tinguished citizens.  The  ladies  were  dressed  with 
great  taste  and  elegance,  but  little  jewelry  was  then 
worn.  Lady  Stirling  and  her  daughters,  and  her  sis- 
ter-in-law Mrs.  Livingston,  Mrs.  Montgomery,  Lady 
Christiana  Griffin,  Lady  Temple,  the  Marchioness  de 


MRS.    WASHINGTON'S    ARRIVAL.  17 

Brehan,  Mrs.  Clinton,  Mrs.  Duane  the  Mayoress,  Mrs. 
Prevost  the  Bishop's  wife,  Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  Hamilton, 
Mrs.  Beekman,  &c.,  were  among  the  number.  The 
next  week  the  Count  de  Moustier  gave  a  grand  ball 
at  his  house  in  Broadwav.  Elias  Boudinot  described 
it  as  "  a  most  splendid  ball  indeed."  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton, accompanied  by  her  grandchildren  Eleanor  Cus- 
tis  and  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  set  out  from 
Mount  Vernon  on  the  19th  of  May,  in  her  carriage, 
with  a  small  equestrian  escort.  She  was  received 
with  honors  at  every  stopping-place,  and  was  enter- 
tained in  Philadelphia  by  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  and  at 
Elizabethtown  by  the  venerable  Governor  Livingston 
and  his  daughters.  The  President  came  here  to  meet 
her,  in  a  splendid  barge  ;  and  as  they  approached  the 
batter}^,  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired  ;  while 
crowds  greeted  the  landing  of  the  distinguished  pas- 
sengers. On  the  day  after  the  arrival  of  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington a  dinner  was  given  at  the  President's^  to  Vice- 
President  Adams,  Governor  Clinton,  the  Count  de 
Moustier,  Mr.  Jay,  General  St.  Clair,  the  Spanish  min- 
ister, Ryq  Senators  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House. 
Mr.  Wingate  said  it  was  the  least  showy  dinner  he 
had  ever  seen  at  that  table.  Washington  said  grace, 
and  dined  on  boiled  leg  of  mutton.  After  the  dessert, 
a  single  glass  of  wine  was  offered  to  each  guest,  and 
when  it  was  drunk,  General  Washington  rose  and  the 
company  adjourned  to  the  drawing-room. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  Mrs.  Washington  held  her 
first  levee ;  and  they  were  continued  every  Friday 
evening  from  eight  to  ten  o'clock.  These  receptions 
were  marked  by  little  ostentation  or  restraint,  and 


18  Washington's  administration. 

were  attended  by  all  that  was  fashionable,  elegant,  or 
refined  in  society ;  but  they  were  select  and  courtly, 
and  not  subject  to  the  intrusion  of  the  rabble.  Mrs. 
Washington  was  careful  to  exact  proper  courtesies  in 
her  drawing-room.  None  were  admitted  to  the  levees 
but  those  entitled  by  official  station,  established  merit, 
or  suitable  introductions ;  and  full  dress  was  required 
of  all.  A  drawing-room  sufficiently  capacious  in  the 
President's  house  was  plainly  furnished ;  some  pic- 
tures and  ornaments,  and  the  family  plate,  had  been 
brought  from  Mount  Yernon.  Tlie  state  coach  was 
the  finest  carriage  in  the  city,  usually  drawn  by  four 
horses ;  but  always  by  six  when  it  conveyed  the 
President  to  Federal  Hall.  It  was  cream-colored  and 
ornamented  with  cupids  supporting  festoons,  with 
borderings  of  flowers  around  the  panels. 

The  residence  of  the  President  was  afterwards  in 
Broadway  near  the  Bowling  Green.  His  office  was 
on  the  first  floor,  opposite  the  drawing-rooms.  The 
Vice-President  had  a  beautiful  rural  residence  at 
Piichmond  Hill. 

In  addition  to  the  other  ladies  mentioned  as  guests 
at  the  ball,  among  the  leading  ladies  of  the  metropo- 
lis were  Lady  Kitty  Duer,  Lady  Mary  Watts,  Madame 
de  la  Forest,  Mrs.  John  Langdon,  Mrs.  Tristram  Dal- 
ton,  Mrs.  Knox,  Mrs.  Kobert  R.  Livingston,  the  Misses 
Livingston,  Mrs.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Gerry,  Mrs.  McComb, 
Mrs.  Edgar,  Mrs.  Lynch,  Mrs.  Houston,  the  Misses 
Bayard,  Mrs.  Livingston  of  Clermont,  and  many 
others.  At  his  own  official  receptions  Washington 
greeted  his  visitors  with  a  bow,  without  shaking 
hands.     He  wore  a  black  velvet  suit,  with  white  vest 


SOCIAL    AMUSEMENTS    IN    XEW   YORK.  19 

and  yellow  gloves,  breeches,  silver  knee  and  shoe- 
buckles,  and  a  long  steel-hilted  sword;  a  cocked  hat 
in  his  hand.  At  his  wife's  levees  he  had  neither  hat 
nor  sword,  but  conversed  without  restraint  as  a  private 
gentleman.  Mrs.  Washington  was  about  fifty-seven 
3^ears  of  age  when  she  opened  the  "Republican 
Court;"  and  she  retained  much  of  the  grace  of  her 
earlier  years. 

The  festivities  that  followed  the  inauguration — 
public  and  private  —  were  interrupted  by  the  ill- 
health  of  the  President  and  the  death  of  his  vener- 
able mother;  so  that  he  and  Mrs.  Washington  par- 
ticipated in  few  gayeties  during  the  winter  that  New 
York  continued  the  national  capital. 

Several  families  who  had  held  in  the  province  a 
sort  of  baronial  supremacy,  were  now  eminent  in 
public  service  or  in  private  society;  yet  in  social 
elegance  the  circles  of  New  York  were  inferior  to 
those  of  Philadelphia.  New  York  continued  to  be 
the  metropolis  less  than  two  years. 

Mrs.  Washington's  decided  disinclination  to  balls 
perhaps  diminished  the  number  given.  But  there 
were  public  amusements;  an  exhibition  of  wax-work 
is  mentioned,  and  a  review  and  sham  fight;  theatr 
ricals  also  had  some  encouragement,  and  private  per- 
formances were  sometimes  given  in  the  President's 
house.  The  wife  of  Robert  Morris,  the  great  finan- 
cier, was  usually  at  Mrs.  Washington's  right  hand  at 
her  drawing-rooms;  Mr.  Morris  having  that  post  at 
her  dinners.  The  refreshments  at  the  ordinary  levees 
were  plain,  consisting  generally  of  tea  and  coffee  with 
cake.     It  has  been  said  that  ice-creams  were  first  in- 


20  WASHINGTON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

troduced  by  Mrs.  Washington.  Mrs.  Knox  was  a 
remarkable  character  of  the  time.  She  and  her 
husband  were  said  to  be  "  the  largest  couple  in 
the  city."  She  was  a  lively  and  amiable  leader  of 
society,  and  his  brilliant  conversation  and  unfailing 
good  humor  brightened  every  circle.  Many  thought 
Mrs.  Knox's  co-operation  and  approval  indispensable 
in  the  drawinij^-room  or  the  balhroom.  The  house  of 
the  Secretary  of  War  was  the  scene  of  munificent 
hosj^itality. 

Mrs.  Izard,  of  South  Carolina,  was  about  the  age  of 
Mrs.  Adams.  Her  French  descent,  her  marriage  with 
a  man  of  accomplishments  and  liberal  fortune,  her 
association  with  a  brilliant  society  in  London,  Paris 
and  Florence,  fitted  her  to  sustain  her  part  with  dis- 
tinguished effect.  Her  beauty  and  wit  made  her 
universally  admired. 

Alexander  Hamilton  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
genius,  activity  and  knowledge.  He  was,  of  course, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  society  of  the 
period.  He  lived  on  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Broad 
Streets,  but  built  a  beautiful  countrj-  house — "The 
Grange  " — on  the  island,  a  few  miles  from  the  city. 
He  had  a  remarkably  expressive  face.  He  was  under 
the  middle  size  and  thin,  but  erect  and  dignified. 
His  hair  was  turned  back  from  his  forehead,  pow- 
dered, and  clubbed  behind.  His  fair  and  rosy  com- 
plexion, the  play  of  his  features  lighted  up  with 
intelligence  and  vivacity,  his  sweet  smile,  attracted 
all  who  saw  him.  He  had  a  mind  of  vast  grasp,  and 
was  great  either  as  a  speaker  or  a  writer.  The 
originality  of  his  views   evinced   the   possession   of 


GOUVERXEUR    MORRIS.  21 

genius.  He  ^vas  a  frankj  amiable,  high-toned  gentle- 
man. His  wife,  the  daughter  of  General  Schuyler, 
was  one  of  the  most  charmino;  women  of  the  time. 

William  Livingston,  a  most  able  representative 
of  New  Jersey,  a  forcible  and  elegant  waiter,  was 
extremely  plain  in  his  dress  and  manner.  Robert 
Morris  was  a  native  of  England,  but  had  lived  in 
America  since  he  was  thirteen.  Gouverneur  Morris 
was  the  vouno^est  son  of  Lewis  Morris.  He  assisted 
Robert  Morris  in  the  superintendence  of  the  finances. 

One  of  the  ancestors  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  who 
had  been  noted  as  a  leader  in  Cromwell's  army,  came 
to  New  York,  and  purchased  a  thousand  acres  of  land, 
with  manorial  privileges,  in  the  vicinity  of  Harlem. 
The  estate  is  still  known  as  Morrisania.  Gouverneur, 
born  in  1752,  w^as  distinguished  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  eminently  useful  in  his  public  life.  He  was 
sent  as  minister  to  France  in  1792.  A  vein  of  eccen- 
tricity, with  striking  originality,  m.arked  his  char- 
acter; his  commanding  figure,  expressive  features, 
and  emphatic  articulation,  with  his  superior  intellect, 
made  an  impression  on  society.  Madame  de  Stael 
remarked  that  he  had  ^*  I'air  tres  imposant."  He 
married  a  niece  of  John  Randolph.  The  story  went 
that  he  had  invited  a  number  of  relatives  to  a  Christ- 
mas dinner,  and  when  the  company  was  assembled, 
that  he  left  the  room  and  soon  returned  with  his 
bride  and  a  clergyman,  who  forthwith  performed  the 
marriage  ceremony,  to  the  astonishment  of  all,  and 
the  disappointment  of  those  who  expected  to  inherit 
the  estate.  While  he  was  in  attendance  on  Conii-ress 
in  Philadelphia,  an  accident  caused   the  loss  of  his 


22  avasiiixgton's  admixistratiox. 

leg,  and  he  had  it  replaced  by  a  stump.  On  one 
occasion,  when  the  cry  of  "aristocrat"  was  raised 
against  hhn  in  the  streets  of  Paris,  for  appearing 
in  his  carriage,  when  no  such  things  were  allowed 
by  the  mob,  and  the  blood-thirsty  crowd  threatened 
his  life — he  coolly  thrust  his  wooden  leg  out  of  the 
window,  and  cried  out:  "An  aristocrat!  yes  —  who 
lost  his  limb  in  the  cause  of  American  liberty!"  He 
was  not  only  allowed  to  proceed  but  vehemently 
cheered. 

When  a  friend  asked  his  son,  a  boy  of  four,  if  he 
had  read  Eobinson  Crusoe  and  Jack  the  Giant-killer? 
Morris  said :  "  Tell  the  gentleman — no ;  but  that  you 
are  acquainted  with  the  lives  of  Gustavus  Adolphus, 
and  Charles  the  Twelfth  of  Sweden." 

Intellig-ent  crowds  would  hans;  in  silent  admiration 
on  his  eloquence;  and  servants  would  stop  open- 
mouthed,  dish  in  hand,  to  catch  his  table-talk.  It  svas 
his  rare  fortune  to  be  intimate  with  the  leading  spir- 
its of  two  nations  at  a  time  of  social  and  political 
convulsion,  which  brought  into  action  the  gifts  and 
graces  as  well  as  the  passions  of  humanity.  His  cor- 
respondence with  Washington  showed  mutual  respect 
and  confidence.  Once  at  a  dinner  party  it  was  in- 
sisted that  no  one,  however  intimate,  would  dare  take 
a  liberty  with  the  Chief  Gouverneur  Morris  foolishly 
accepted  a  bet  that  he  would  venture  on  the  experi- 
ment. Just  before  dinner  was  announced,  while  the 
guests  stood  by  the  fire,  in  the  midst  of  a  lively  chat, 
Morris  clapped  Washington  familiarly  on  the  shoulder. 
The  Chief  turned  and  gave  him  a  look  of  such  mild 
and  dignified  yet  grieved  surprise,  that  his  friend 


MRS.  BURR — ATTORNEYS    AXD    DIYIXES.  23 

shrank  back  repentant  of  his  forgetfulness  of  respect, 
while  the  mirth  of  the  company  was  instantly  awed 
into  silence. 

A  story  was  related  in  the  Morris  family,  that  while 
he  was  sojourning  in  Paris,  the  King  noticed  the  re- 
markable resemblance  which  Gouverneur  Morris  bore 
his  own  royal  fiimily.  One  day  during  an  audience, 
the  monarch,  after  looking  fixedly  at  the  American 
statesman,  exclaimed  w^th  energy:  "The  likeness  is, 
indeed,  too  wonderful  to  be  accidental!"  immediately 
adding:  "Pray,  Mr.  Morris — w\as  your  mother  ever  in 
France?" 

With  a  low  bow  Morris  instantly  replied  :  "  No — 
3^our  majesty;  but  my  father  w^as!" 

Mrs.  Aaron  Burr, — who  had  been  Mrs.  Prevost, 
the  widow  of  a  British  officer,  and  had  married  Burr 
in  1782, — did  not  go  into  society.  In  1789  Burr 
was  only  thirty-three.  "  He  was  small  but  well 
formed;  with  a  handsome  face,  by  some  described  as 
striking,  and  ej^es  jet  black  and  uncommonly  bril- 
liant and  piercing,  with  a  manner  singulai'ly  grace- 
ful, gentle  and  fascinating." 

At  this  time  the  list  of  attornej's  in  the  city  com- 
prised one  hundred  and  twenty-two  names;  that  of 
clergymen  only  fourteen.  The  legal  learning  and 
eloquence  were  then  eminent ;  and  the  names  of 
Duane,  Hamilton,  Jay,  Kent,  Troup,  Lewis,  the  Liv- 
ingstons, Morris,  Hoffman  and  others,  &c.,  are  still 
remembered  as  ornaments  to  the  profession.  Dr. 
Linn,  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  was  a  fine 
scholar  and  a  fervid,  graceful  orator.  "  The  very 
good-tempered,  gentlemanly  and   scholarly  Dr.  Pro- 


24  Washington's  administration. 

vost/'  was  bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  was 
also  much  sought  by  his  friends  for  his  social  qualities. 

Sullivan  thus  described  Mr.  John  Jay  ;  ^'  Hi.s  height 
was  a  little  less  than  six  feet ;  his  person  rather  thin, 
but  well  formed.  His  complexion  was  without  color, 
his  eyes  black  and  penetrating,  his  nose  aquiline,  and 
his  chin  pointed.  His  hair  came  over  his  forehead, 
was  tied  behind,  and  lightly  powdered  ;  his  dress 
black.  The  expression  of  his  face  was  exceedingly 
amiable.  When  standing  he  was  a  little  inclined 
forward,  as  is  not  uncommon  with  students  long 
accustomed  to  bend  over  a  table.  His  manner  was 
very  gentle  and  unassuming.  His  deportment  was 
tranquil. 

"  History  will  assign  to  John  Jay  an  elevated  rank 
among  the  great ;  it  will  place  him  equally  high 
among  the  pure  and  virtuous."  He  was  born  in  New 
York  in  1748.  In  1779  he  was  appointed  minister  to 
Spain;  in  1782  he  was  sent  as  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners to  negotiate  a  peace  with  England.  On  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  he  Avas  appointed  Chief 
Justice  of  the  United  States,  and  resigned  that  office 
in  1795,  to  become  Governor  of  New  York. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  President  Washington 
chose  Mr.  Jefferson  to  preside  over  the  department 
of  State.  He  had  filled  the  office  of  minister  pleni- 
potentiary at  the  court  of  France,  as  the  successor 
of  Franklin.  Alexander  Hamilton  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury ;  General  Knox  continued 
Secretary  of  AYar,  as  he  had  been  under  the  confed- 
eration. Edmund  Eandolph  of  A^irginia,  was  made 
Attorney  General,  and    Samuel    Osgood   Postmaster 


SOCIAL    CELEBRITIES.  25 

General.  These  heads  of  Departments  of  course 
aided  to  form  the  court  society.  Mr.  Jay  accepted 
the  office  of  Chief  Justice,  and  his  colleagues  ^vere 
William  Gushing,  of  Massachusetts,  James  Wilson  of 
Pennsylvania,  John  Blair,  and  John  Rutledge  the 
eloquent  statesman  from  South  Carolina,  with  James 
Iredell,  of  North  Carolina.  The  manners  of  Mr.  Ed- 
mund Randolph  and  his  agreeable  conversation  had 
caused  him  to  be  described  as  "  the  first  gentleman 
of  Virginia."  He  had  succeeded  Patrick  Henry  as 
Governor  of  that  State.  His  figure  was  tall  and 
imposing,  and  he  always  dressed  elegantly.  John 
Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  was  his  relative,  and  in  New 
York  at  the  time ;  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  and 
very  lank,  awkward  and  ill-dressed  ;  known  to  every- 
body, however,  as  a  boy  of  ability,  destined  to  play 
an  extraordinary  part  in  the  world. 

Sullivan  described  Charles  Carroll,  the  Senator  from 
Maryland,  as  rather  small  and  thin,  with  very  gracious 
and  polished  manners.  He  was  a  man  of  great  ac- 
complishments and  rare  abilities,  and  was  universally 
respected  and  beloved.  Several  members  of  his 
family  were  with  him  during  the  second  session  of 
the  first  Congress  in  New  York.  Polly,  his  daughter, 
was  already  married  to  Mr.  Richard  Caton,  an  English 
gentleman.  The  Misses  White — daughters  of  Henry 
White,  were  conspicuous  in  society,  though  of  a  loy- 
alist family.  Sabine  says :  "  Madame  Wliite  was  a  lady 
of  great  wealth,  and  her  recollections  of  New  York 
society  were  curious."  An  elderly  gentleman  who 
went  one  evening  to  a  party  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
White — in  the  winter  of  1789-90 — spoke  rapturously 


2C 

of  tlie  young  ladies — "so  gay  and  fashionable,  so 
charming  in  conversation,  with  such  elegant  figures." 
On  this  occasion  he  Avent  with  Sir  John  Temple  and 
Henry  Remsen,  and  was  dressed  "in  a  light  blue 
French  coat,  with  a  high  collar,  broad  lappels  and 
large  gilt  buttons,  a  double-breasted  marseilles  vest, 
nankeen  colored  cassimere  breeches,  with  white  silk 
stockings,  shining  pumps,  and  full  rufiles  on  my  breast 
and  at  my  wrists,  together  with  a  ponderous  white 
cravat  with  a  pudding  in  it,  as  we  then  called  it;  and 
I  was  considered  the  best  dressed  gentleman  in  the 
room.  I  remember  to  have  waltzed  a  minuet  with 
much  grace,  with  my  friend  Mrs.  Yerplanck,  who  was 
dressed  in  hoop  and  petticoats ;  I  caught  cold  that 
night  from  drinking  hot  port  wine  negus,  and  riding 
home  in  a  sedan  chair  with  one  of  the  glasses  broken." 

The  foreign  ministers  added  little  to  society  this 
season.  Mr.  Van  Berckel  represented  the  States  Gen- 
eral of  the  United  Netherlands,  and  had  just  returned 
from  Europe.  The  custom  of  making  calls  on  New 
Year's  day  brought  to  New  York  by  the  Dutch  and 
the  Huguenots,  was  duly  observed  on  the  first  of 
January,  1790;  the  principal  gentlemen  waiting  on 
the  President.  Mrs.  Washington's  levee  held  in  the 
evening  was  attended  with  unusual  elegance.  Con- 
trary to  usual  custom,  the  visitors  were  seated,  and 
partook  of  tea  and  cofiee,  and  plain  and  f>lum  cake. 
The  President  expressed  his  hope  that  the  New 
Yorkers  would  never  forget  the  cordial  and  cheerful 
observance  of  New  Year's  day. 

The  President  came  to  Federal  Hall  in  his  chariot 
drawn  by  six  horses,  to  open  the  second  session,  and 


THE    president's    HOUSE.  2T 

delivered  his  speech  in  the  Senate  Chamber.  He 
was  dressed  in  a  suit  of  cloth  manufactured  in  Hart- 
ford. Many  public  dinners  were  given  this  winter ; 
the  President  continuing  his  every  Wednesday  to 
members  of  Congress,  ambassadors  and  eminent 
persons. 

Mr.  Jefferson^  who  had  returned  from  France  with 
his  two  daughters,  and  had  rested  some  time  at  Mon- 
ticello,  came  to  New  York,  by  a  fortnight's  journey 
from  Eichmond.  He  took  a  house  in  Maiden  Lane, 
and  was  cordially  received  by  the  President  and  the 
citizens.  The  dinner  parties  made  him  at  once  famil- 
iar with  them. 

A  gloom  fell  over  society  with  the  news  of  Frank- 
lin's death  in  Philadelphia.  This  occurred  in  April. 
The  session,  the  last  ever  held  in  New  York,  was 
closed  in  Aug-ust.  Leavino;  the  citv  to  ao  to  Virginia, 
General  Washinirton  never  ac^ain  returned  to  live 
there. 

The  best  private  house  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia 
—  that  of  Robert  Morris — was  taken  by  the  corpora- 
tion for  the  residence  of  the  President,  and  some 
additions  were  made  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
family.  The  stables  would  hold  "twelve  horses  only," 
and  there  was  a  coach  house  for  all  the  carriages.  It 
was  the  determination  of  Washington  to  live  in  a 
style  of  the  utmost  simplicity  and  modesty  consistent 
with  the  dignity  of  his  official  position.  The  rent 
of  the  house  was  settled  at  three  thousand  dollars  a 
year.  In  no  respect  did  the  President  deserve  the 
charges  of  anti-republican  state  and  splendor,  made 
against  him  by  political  opponents.    He  himself  wrote 


28  Washington's  administration. 

to  Mrs.  Macaulay :  ''  Mrs.  Washington's  ideas  coincide 
with  my  own  as  to  simplicity  of  dress,  and  everything 
which  can  tend  to  support  propriety  of  character 
without  partaking  of  the  folKes  of  hixury  and  osten- 
tation." 

It  was  with  reluctance  that  General  Washington 
permitted  his  name  to  be  used  for  a  second  Presiden- 
tial term.  Mr.  Hamilton  urged  that  his  declining 
would  involve  great  evils  to  the  country  at  that  crisis 
of  affairs.  The  affairs  of  the  national  government 
were  not  yet  hrmly  established^  and  much  was  to  be 
dreaded  if  the  venerated  and  beloved  Chief  refused 
to  continue  in  office.  The  re-election  was  unanimous, 
and  on  the  4th  of  March,  1793,  he  again  took  the 
oath  of  office  in  the  hall  of  the  Senate. 

There  were  not  wanting  enemies  to  the  administra- 
tion ;  and  active  among  these  was  Philip  Freneau, 
who  was  said  to  write  under  the  dictation  of  Mr. 
Jefferson.  The  pretenses  for  attacks  on  the  President 
were  his  reserved  manners,  and  his  not  supporting 
some  demand  of  the  army.  He  and  his  friends  were 
accused  of  a  leaning  towards  a  monarchical  form  of 
government.  Washington  had  not  yet  learned  to 
make  bows  to  suit  the  democracy ! 

M.  Genet  was  the  first  minister  sent  by  the  French 
Republic.  The  exhibitions  of  popular  enthusiasm  on 
his  coming  grew  out  of  the  sympathy  felt  by  a  grow- 
ing party  with  those  who  had  thrown  off  the  yoke  of 
royalty.  Democratic  societies  were  formed  in  imita- 
tion of  Jacobin  Chibs ;  and  common  forms  of  expres- 
sion such  as  the  title  of  "citizen"  became  rife  in  Phil- 
adelpliia.       Genet    complained  at   seeing    a  bust  of 


SOCIETY    IX    rillLADELnilA.  29 

Louis  XVI.  ill  the  vestibule  of  the  President's  house ; 
and  his  conduct  was  such,  that  General  Washington  at 
lepgth  procured  his  recall.  Genet  was  a  member  of 
one  of  the  first  families  of  France,  and  a  brother  of 
the  celebrated  Madame  Campan.  He  married  Miss 
Cornelia  Tappan  Clinton,  a  daughter  of  the  Governor 
of  New  York,  and  fixed  his  residence  in  this  country. 

The  party  opposed  to  the  administration,  of  which 
Jefferson  vras  the  apostle,  now  began  to  exert  an  in- 
fluence deemed  formidable.  The  events  of  the  French 
Revolution  had  given  an  impulse  to  the  spirit  of  ul- 
tra democrac}'.  It  pervaded  society,  and  formed  the 
subject  of  conversation  in  public  and  private  circles 
throughout  the  country.  The  old  respectability  of 
the  nation  continued  to  adhere  to  the  party  of  which 
Washington  was  the  founder  and  head.  Mr.  Jefferson 
vras  no  longer  Secretary  of  State,  having  retired  from 
official  connection  with  public  affairs.  Edmund  Ran- 
dolph took  his  place,  and  his  was  filled  by  William 
Bradford  of  Pennsvlvania. 

The  cream  of  the  cream  of  society  graced  Philadel- 
phia at  this  period.  The  Duke  de  Lauzun  said  that 
in  beauty,  grace  and  intelligence,  the  women  could 
not  be  surpassed.  The  gay  Marquis  de  Chastellux 
had  been  enthusiastic  in  describing  its  dames  and 
demoiselles.  Mrs.  William  Bingham  was  a  Cjueen  in 
the  highest  social  circle.  All  that  the  United  States 
contained  illustrious  in  statesmanship,  was  assembled 
at  the  new^  capital.  Dominie  Robert  Proud,  Benjamin 
Chew^,  Edward  Shippen,  Dr.  Rush,  the  facetious  Judge 
Peters,  the  sage  Rittenhouse,  the  humorist  Francis 
Hopkinson,  Bishop  White,  Charles  Brockden  Brown, 


30  WASHINGTON'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX. 

were  a  few  among  them.  The  rules  adopted  by  the 
President  and  Mrs.  Washington  for  receiving  company 
were  nearly  the  same  as  in  New  York.  Keceptions 
were  given  by  the  President  every  other  Tuesday, 
from  three  to  four  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  large  din- 
ing-room on  the  first  floor.  His  hair  was  usually  pow- 
dered and  gathered  behind  in  a  silk  bag,  his  coat  and 
breeches  were  of  plain  black  velvet,  with  white  or 
pearl-colored  vest,  yellow  gloves,  a  cocked  hat  in  his 
hand,  silver  knee  and  shoe-buckles,  and  a  long  sword 
with  a  glittering  steel  hilt  and  scabbard  of  polished 
white  leather.  He  rarely  shook  hands,  but  bowed  to 
each  visitor.  The  door  was  closed  at  a  quarter  past 
three ;  the  gentlemen  moved  into  a  circle,  and  the 
President  went  round  exchanging  a  few  words 
with  each ;  after  which  the  visitors  again  came  up, 
bowed  and  retired.  At  Mrs.  Washington's  drawing- 
rooms  he  did  not  consider  the  visits  made  to  himself, 
and  he  appeared  as  a  private  gentleman,  without  hat 
or  sword. 

Mrs.  Adams  described  the  first  levee,  given  on 
Christmas  day.  She  went  attended  by  her  son,  and 
met  "the  dazzling  Mrs.  Bingham  and  her  beautiful 
sisters,  the  Misses  Allen,  the  Misses  Chew,  &c."  Miss 
Allen  became  Mrs.  Greenleaf,  and  had  the  reputation 
of  superb  beauty.  Mrs.  Theodore  Sedgwick  had  a 
charming  face,  and  an  air  of  refinement  and  elegance  ; 
"  the  magnificent  Miss  Wolcott  from  Connecticut,  was 
the  boast  of  gentlemen  from  the  Eastern  States ;  and 
Mrs.  Knox,  of  course,  was  the  observed  of  all  ob- 
servers." Miss  Sally  McKean  boasted  of  the  party 
as  "brilliant  bevond  anvthinii:  vou  can  imafjine  ;  and 


SOCIAL    GAYETY.  31 

though  there  was  a  great  deal  of  extravagance,  there 
was  80  much  of  Phihidelphia  taste  in  everything,  it 
must  have  been  confessed  the  most  delightful  occasion 
of  the  kind  ever  known  in  this  country." 

Dinners,  balls,  and  gayeties  of  every  description, 
followed  each  other  during  that  memorable  winter. 
At  Mr.  Bingham's  and  Mr.  Morris's  houses  the  dinners 
were  sumptuous  to  a  degree  unrivalled  by  other  social 
leaders.  One  of  tlie  citizens  wrote  to  a  friend  abroad  : 
^'  You  have  never  seen  anything  like  the  frenzy  that 
has  seized  on  the  inhabitants  here ;  the}'  have  been 
half  mad  ever  since  this  city  became  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment ;  and  there  is  no  limit  to  their  prodigality. 
The  probability  is  that  some  families  will  find  they 
cannot  support  their  dinners,  suppers  and  losses  at 
loo,  a  great  while."  "  There  have  been  a  good  man}' 
delightful  parties,  and  I  have  been  at  Chews,  McKean's, 
Clymer's,  Dallas's,  Bingham's,  and  a  dozen  other  houses 
lately.  Among  your  more  particular  friends  there  is 
more  quiet  and  comfort,  and  it  is  not  impossible  that 
the  most  truly  respectable  people  are  least  heard  of" 
Mrs.  Bingham  w^as  w^ell  fitted  to  lead  in  the  fash- 
ionable world.  She  gathered  around  her  assem- 
blages of  aristocratic  distinction  and  unquestioned 
taste.  Splendid  in  beauty,  elegant  in  deportment, 
sprightly,  winning,  and  charming  in  manners,  she  had 
*  additional  gifts  by  which  to  enchant  every  one  who 
came  within  the  sphere  of  her  influence.  Her  social 
pre-eminence  is  historical,  and  America  has  rarely 
seen  one  like  her.  With  all  her  advantages,  per- 
sonal, social  and  external,  she  was  not  envied,  for  she 
had  the  spell  to  disarm  jealousy,  and  to  win  the  cold- 


32  wasiiixgton's  administration. 

est  heart.  Her  dress  was  marked  by  propriety  and 
good  taste  ;  her  entertainments  -were  delightful ;  and 
her  command  of  wealth,  with  her  family  connections, 
ijcave  her  additional  advantae^es.  Mrs.  Adams  wrote  : 
'•'  I  have  not  seen  a  lady  in  England  Avho  can  bear  a 
comparison  with  Mrs.  Bingham,  Mrs.  Piatt,  or  a  Miss 
Hamilton,  who  is  a  Philadelphia  young  lady." 

Mrs.  Bingham's  cousin,  Chief  Justice  Shippen,  lived 
in  Fourth  Street;  another  cousin,  Mrs.  Harrison,  op- 
posite the  Bingham  mansion ;  other  relatives  and 
connections  resided  in  the  neighborhood ;  and  she 
could  fdl  her  drawing-rooms  with  her  own  kin  at 
short  notice,  at  any  time.  Her  style  illustrated  the 
highest  refinement  -,  and  it  formed  a  contrast  with  the 
simplicity  of  the  circle  in  which  Mrs.  Washington  was 
regarded  as  the  queen. 

Benjamin  Chew  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous 
men  of  that  period.  He  was  seventy,  but  preserved 
the  distinguished  air  and  high-bred  courtesy  of  his 
youth  ;  as  did  Edward  Shippen,  eight  years  his  junior, 
now  also  called  to  a  high  judicial  position.  Dr.  Eush 
was  a  resident  of  Philadelphia,  but  had  little  to  do 
with  the  Presidential  court.  Judge  Peters  was  a 
great  favorite  from  his  wit  and  facetiousness.  Fran- 
cis Hopkinson,  the  genial  humorist,  had  remarkable 
powers  of  pleasing;  the  sage  Rittenhouse,  William 
Bartram,  and  John  Fitch,  inventor  of  the  steam- 
boat, were  then  in  the  capital.  That  man  of  pro- 
found sense.  Bishop  AYhite,  was  then  in  his  meridian, 
while  Dr.  Sproat  touched  the  verge  of  human  life ; 
there  were  several  other  clergymen  of  high  moral 
worth,  though  not  possessed  of  extraordinary  abili> 


MANNERS    OF    THE    TIMES.  33 


ties.  Charles  Brockclen  Brown  and  Dr.  Milnor  were 
students,  and  John  Randolph  was  the  center  of  a  club 
of  boon  companions  from  the  Southern  States,  mem- 
bers of  wdiich  were  Eppes,  who  afterwards  married 
Jeiferson's  youngest  daughter,  Thomas  Marshall,  a 
brother  of  the  great  chief  justice  ;  Robert  Rose,  who 
married  Madison's  sister;  Rutledge  of  South  Carolina, 
Bryan  of  Georgia,  and  many  others. 

Wansey,  an  English  traveler,  took  breakfast  wdth 
the  President  in  Juno,  ITO-l,  and  noticed  the  simple 
manners  of  the  family.  Mrs.  Washington  made  tea 
and  coffee,  and  there  was  sliced  tongue,  dry  toast  and 
bread  and  butter.  Miss  Eleanor  Custis,  a  girl  of  six- 
teen, sat  nearest  the  hostess,  and  next,  her  grand-son 
George.  One  servant,  who  wore  no  livery,  waited  on 
the  table  ;  and  a  silver  urn  for  hot  water  w^as  the  only 
expensive  piece  of  table  furniture.  The  President 
w^as  at  that  time  in  his  sixty-third  year,  but  looked 
rather  younger  than  Mrs.  Washington.  She  w^as 
short,  robust  in  figure  and  very  plainly  dressed ;  her 
gray  hair  turned  up  under  a  plain  cap.  Some  of  her 
drawing-rooms  were  criticised  by  the  democrats  as 
"introductory  to  the  paraphernalia  of  courts." 

Mrs.  Adams  greatly  eulogized  the  old  theatre  in 
Philadelphia,  which  was  frequently  visited  by  the 
families  of  the  President  and  Vice-President.  The 
new  one  was  opened  in  1794.  The  manager,  Mr. 
Wignell,  fitted  up  the  house  wdth  luxurious  elegance. 
Harwood,  one  of  the  actors,  married  Miss  Bache.  a 
grand-daughter  of  Dr.  Franklin.  Another,  Fennel, 
entertained  five  generals  at  his  house  at  one  time, 
and  was  on  intimate  terms  wuth  Governor  Miflilin. 


34  Washington's  administration. 

Mrs.  Whitlock,  one  of  the  actresses,  was  a  sister  of 
Mrs.  Sidclons.  Wansey  described  the  head-dresses  of 
the  ladies  at  the  theatre  as  in  the  English  style.  The 
younger  appeared  with  their  hair  flowing  in  ringlets 
on  their  shoulders.  The  gentlemen  had  round  hats^ 
coats  with  high  collars,  and  many  coats  of  striped  silk. 

Mr.  Hamilton  resigned  the  Secretaryship  of  the 
Treasury  in  1795,  being  succeeded  by  General  Wol- 
cott.  General  Knox  had  also  resigned,  and  had  been 
succeeded  by  Colonel  Pickering.  Thus  the  original 
cabinet  was  entirely  changed.  Mr.  John  Jay  had 
been  sent  in  April  1794,  as  envoy  extraordinary  to 
the  British  Court.  The  British  minister  to  this  coun- 
try was  Mr.  Hammond,  a  stout,  rosy,  handsome  man, 
wearing  a  powdered  wig,  who  had  married  one  of  the 
beautiful  daughters  of  Andrew  Allen,  and  had  a  coun- 
try place  near  the  city.  Mr.  Bradford,  the  Attorney 
General,  had  also  a  house  in  the  country. 

The  discovery  of  some  practices  to  compass  the 
ruin  of  the  administration,  in  which  Mr.  Randolph 
was  involved,  led  to  his  enforced  resignation.  His 
"  Vindication  "  contained  violent  abuse  of  Washington, 
which  moved  the  Cliief  to  such  anger,  that  he  was 
said  to  have  uttered  the  strongest  language,  and 
brought  his  fist  down  on  the  breakfast  table  with 
such  force  as  to  cause  a  clatter  with  the  cups  and 
plates,  to  the  alarm  of  Mrs.  Washington  and  h(5T 
family  party,  the  Custises,  Lewises,  &c. 

Fisher  Ames  made  the  greatest  speech  ever  yet 
made  in  Congress,  on  the  treaty  negotiated  by  Mr. 
Jay.  John  Adams  wrote  of  this  speecli :  ^' Judge  Ire- 
dell and  I  happened  to  sit  together.     ^How  great  he 


Washington's  customs.  35 

is!'  says  Iredell:  ^How  great  he  has  been'!  'He  has 
been  noble/  said  I.  After  some  time  Iredell  breaks  out 
with  'Bless  ray  stars,  I  never  heard  anything  so  great 
since  I  was  born !'  'It  is  divine !'  said  I ;  and  thus  we 
went  on  with  our  interjections,  not  to  say  our  tears,  till 
the  end.  Not  a  dry  eye,  I  believe  in  the  house,  except 
some  of  the  jackasses  who  had  occasioned  a  necessity 
of  the  oratory.  These  attempted  to  laugh;  but  their 
visages  grinned  horrible  ghastly  smiles." 

One  of  the  ladies  who  remembered  General  Wash- 
ington most  accurately,  was  Mrs.  Susan  Wallace,  the 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary  Binney,  who  lived  nearly 
opposite  the  President.  General  Washington  used 
to  walk  out  every  fine  day,  attended  by  his  secre- 
tary, and  dressed  in  black,  with  a  cocked  hat.  The 
President's  coach,  light  carriage  and  chariot,  were  all 
cream-colored,  and  painted  with  figures  on  the  panels. 
Two  horses  were  driven  when  the  General  went  to 
church ;  four  in  going  into  the  country ;  and  six  to 
the  Senate.  He  had  white  servants,  dressed  in  liv- 
eries of  white  with  scarlet  or  orange  trimmings,  Mrs. 
Wallace — or  Miss  Susan  Binney — was  a  young  girl  in 
the  later  years  of  Washington's  administration.  Her 
mother  often  visited  Mrs.  Washington,  and  when  the 
latter  returned  the  call,  which  was  on  the  third  day, 
her  footman  would  run  over,  knock  at  Mrs.  Bin- 
ney's  door,  and  announce  his  mistress,  who  would 
come  over  with  Mr.  Lear,  the  secretary.  Susan 
thought  the  great  lady's  manners  very  pleasant  and 
unceremonious,  and  like  those  of  most  Virginia  ladies. 
Miss  Binney  married  a  nephew  of  Mr.  Bradford  the 
second  Attorney  General  of  the  United  States. 


36  WASHINGTON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Mr.  Richard  Eusli  remembered  the  Chief  going  in 
person  to  open  the  session  of  Congress,  by  a  speech 
according  to  liis  custom.  His  carriage  was  white,  with 
mcdalHon  ornaments,  and  the  hyeries  white  turned 
up  with  red ;  for  at  that  time  the  display  of  equi- 
pages was  rich  and  varied.  The  carriage  passed 
through  an  immense  crowd,  and  when  it  stopped 
Washington  stepped  out  and  ascended  the  steps  of 
the  House  of  Representatives.  Pausing  on  the  upper 
platform,  he  turned  and  looked  towards  a  carriage 
that  had  followed  the  lead  of  his  own.  He  wore  a 
suit  of  black  velvet;  his  gray  hair  was  powdered  to 
snowy  whiteness;  he  had  a  dress  sword  at  his  side, 
and  his  hat  was  in  his  hand.  Every  eye  Avas  riveted 
on  him,  and  profound  stillness  reigned  in  the  crowd ; 
for  every  heart  was  full.  Washington  was  waiting 
for  his  secretary,  Avho  came  up  and  handed  him  a 
paper.  As  both  entered  the  building  the  long  re- 
pressed huzzas  burst  forth. 

Many  foreign  visitors  came  during  this  administra- 
tion to  the  United  States,  and  distinguished  refugees 
were  driven  here  by  the  French  revolution.  As 
high-bred  gentlemen  they  brought  examples  of 
courtly  usages,  useful  to  the  rising  generation.  One 
of  these  illustrious  exiles  was  Chataubriand,  a  nephew 
of  Malesherbes.  He  came  in  1790  and  was  two  years 
in  the  country.  Another  was  Count  Andriani,  of 
Milan,  bearino;  to  Washinofton  an  ode  addressed  to 
him  by  the  great  poet  Alfieri.  The  Viscount  de 
Noailles,  a  brother-in-law  of  La  Fayette,  was  a  visitor 
at  Mrs.  Washington's  drawing-rooms,  with  his  country- 
man M.  Talon.     When  his  means  began  to  fail,  Mr. 


DISTIXGUISDED    FOKEIGXEnS.  37 

Bingliani  gave  liim  some  third  story  rooms  in  a  build- 
ing at  the  end  of  his  garden.  Here  he  gave  a  dinner 
to  several  noblemen,  and  the  viands  were  cooked  and 
served  by  Mr.  Bingham's  servants. 

Those  remarkable  Englishmen,  Thomas  Cooper, 
Joseph  Priestly  and  William  Cobbett,  began  tlieir 
career  in  this  country  in  1794,  and  were  in  society. 
Alexander  Baring,  afterwards  Lord  Ashburton,  mar- 
ried the  eldest  dauij-hter  of  Mr.  Bino^ham.  M.  dc 
Tallevrand  souf!:ht  refuij^e  here  in  1794.  He  brouo-ht 
letters  from  the  Marquis  of  Landsdowne  and  Mrs. 
Church,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Hamilton.  The  appearance 
of  this  gentleman  was  as  remarkable  as  his  character. 
He  '•  was  very  tall  and  had  light  hair,  long  and  parted 
in  front ;  his  eyes  were  blue  and  expressive,  and  he 
had  a  sallow  complexion ;  his  mouth  was  w^ide  and 
coarse  ;  his  body  ^ large  and  protuberant  in  front;'  his 
legs  w^ere  singularlj^  small  and  his  feet  deformed. 
His  manner  was  tranquil  and  watchful ;  and  in  some 
respects  vulgar  and  repulsive.  A  w^oman  in  New" 
York  at  whose  house  he  dined  frequently,  said  he 
would  rest  his  elbows  on  the  table  and  talk  with  his 
mouth  full ;  he  would  cut  the  meat  on  his  plate  into 
small  pieces,  pierce  them  with  his  fork  till  its  prongs 
were  full,  then  thrust  them  into  his  mouth,  and  clos- 
ing his  teeth  pull  out  the  fork,  leaving  its  freight  in 
his  capacious  jaws." 

M.  Fauchet — afterwards  Baron — had  succeeded  M. 
Genet  as  French  minister.  At  the  birthnight  ball  he 
was  placed  by  the  managers  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
President,  which  gave  offence  to  the  British  minister 
and  the  Spanish  commissioners.     Mr.  Adet,  who  su- 


38  Washington's  administratiox. 

persecled  lilni,  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in  the  summer 
of  1795. 

The  Due  de  la  Rochefoucault  Liancourt  arrived  in 
1794.  lie  Avas  about  forty-five.  His  inmiense  estates 
liad  been  confiscated ;  but  he  had  some  income.  He 
Avas  intimate  in  the  flnnilies  of  Judge  Chew  and  Gen- 
eral Knox. 

Louis  Philippe  d'  Orleans,  who  had  taught  geome- 
trv  in  Switzerland  under  an  assumed  name,  was  sent 
to'  this  country  by  Gouverneur  Morris  in  1796,  and 
in  Philadelphia  lodged  in  a  single  room  over  a  bar- 
ber's shop.  He  gave  a  dinner  to  several  distinguished 
genllenien,  and  apologized  for  seating  half  of  them  on 
the  side  of  a  bed.  He  was  about  twenty-three,  with 
a  dark  complexion,  sunken  eyes,  and  great  dignity. 
He  was  intimate  in  Mr.  Bingham's  family,  and  was 
refused  as  a  suitor  to  one  of  the  daughters.  His 
brothers,  the  Duke  de  Montpensier  and  the  Count  de 
Beaujolais,  joined  him  the  following  year. 

John  Singleton  Copely,  son  of  the  painter,  was  also 
known  in  society  as  a  quiet  gentleman  with  pleasing 
manners.  The  Duke  of  Kent  was  here  at  the  same 
time.  Mr.  Listen  succeeded  Mr.  Hammond  as  British 
minister,  and  arrived  in  May  1796.  Mrs.  Cushing, 
wife  of  the  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  mentioned 
a  dinner  at  the  President's  in  April,  1795,  in  compauy 
Avith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond,  and  other  eminent  per- 
sons. Two  of  the  foreign  ladies,  the  wives  of  the 
Spanish  and  Portuguese  ministers,  were  brilliant  with 
diamonds.  In  June,  1796,  Don  Carlos  Martinez,  Mar- 
quis d'  Yrujo,  succeeded  Jaudeunes  as  Spanish  minis- 
ter.    He    married   Sally  McKean,  daughter    of  the 


QUEENS    OF    SOCIETY.  39 

Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  a  celebrated  beauty. 
Thus  Philadelj-jhia  furnished  wives  for  the  envoys  of 
France,  England  and  Spain  during  this  administration. 
Kosciusko  came  to  this  country,  about  the  close  of 
Washington's  term,  and  met  the  Due  de  Liancourt  at 
the  house  of  General  Gates. 

The  ladies  most  intimate  ^vith  Mrs.  Washino-ton 
were  Mrs.  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Knox,  Mrs.  Morris,  Mrs. 
Stewart,  Mrs.  Powell,  Mrs.  Bradford,  Mrs.  Otis,  Miss 
Eoss,  and  others.  The  Duke  dc  Liancourt  spoke  of 
Mrs.  Knox  with  warm  admiration,  and  also  of  her 
daughter  and  husband.  He  vv'as  their  guest  in  Maine. 
Mrs.  Otis  was  the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Sen- 
ate. Her  son,  the  irreat  orator,  married  Sally  Foster 
in  1700.  Mrs.  Otis  was  remarkable  for  beauty,  wit 
and  vivacity.  Mrs.  Bradford  was  the  daughter  of 
Flias  Boudinot.  Mrs.  Carroll  was  the  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Chew,  and  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Henry  Phillips, 
was  a  great  flxvorite  with  Washington.  Mrs.  John 
Eager  Howard  was  an  elder  sister.  Dolly  Payne— 
afterwards  Mrs.  Todd — was  one  of  the  most  charm- 
ing, gay  and  fascinating  w^omen  in  the  city,  reigning 
some  years  as  a  courted  belle.  She  married  James 
Madison  in  1794.  Piobert  Harper  had  married  a 
daughter  of  the  elder  Charles  Carroll,  and  William 
Smith  a  sister  of  John  Rutledge.  Aaron  Burr  was 
now  a  senator,  lived  in  style,  and  gave  elegant  enter- 
tainments. Mr.  Jefferson  also  kept  open  house  for 
his  friends.  Wolcott  had  a  circle  consisting  in  great 
part  of  New  Englanders,  and  it  was  said  to  be  a  most 
intellectual  society.  Wolcott's  youngest  sister  was  a 
celebrated  beauty,  and  married  the  eminent  Chauncey 


40  WASHINGTON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Goodrich.  Mrs.  Wolcott  also  was  a  lovely  woman,  of 
very  graceful  manners. 

Josiali  Quincy  ligured  prominently  in  the  society 
of  the  period,  and  was  highly  praised  by  Mrs.  Adams. 
She  playfully  recouimended  him  to  pa}'  his  addresses 
to  Nelly  Custis,  and  adds  that  she  thought  him  the 
lirst  match  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Jeremiah  Smith, 
afterward  one  of  the  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
dining  at  Mr.  Wolcott's,  Avas  captivated  by  the  loveli- 
ness of  Miss  Eliza  Ross  of  Maryland.  She  became 
Mrs.  Smith  in  due  time.  Eli  Whitney,  with  his  fa- 
mous cotton-gin,  was  introduced  to  Wolcott  about 
this  time. 

The  last  formal  levee  of  the  President  w\as  crowded 
with  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the  capital,  and  with 
many  distinguished  visitors.  The  day  before  the 
close  of  his  administration,  Washington  gave  a  din- 
ner to  the  President  elect,  the  heads  of  departments, 
&c.  Amono;  the  c^uests  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Liston, 
the  Marquis  and  Marchioness  d'  Yrujo,  and  the  for- 
eign ministers  with  their  wives;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pickering,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McIIenry,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gushing,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham,  Mr.  Adams, 
Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Jeflerson,  and  Bishop  White. 
"  During  the  dinner" — said  the  bishop, ''  much  hilarity 
prevailed ;  but  on  the  removal  of  the  cloth,  having 
fdled  his  glass,  the  President  rose  and  said:  'Ladies 
and  gentlemen,  this  is  the  last  time  I  shall  drink  your 
health  as  a  public  man.  I  do  it  with  sincerity,  and 
wishing  you  all  possil)le  happiness.'  This  put  an  end 
to  all  pleasantry,  and  forced  the  tears  into  many  eyes." 

Washino-ton   declined  a  third    term   of   the   Presi- 


SOCIETY    A    EEFLEX    OF    POLITICS.  41 

dency,  and  published  his  dignified  "  Farewell  Ad- 
dress" before  the  sixty-fifth  anniversary  of  his 
birthday.  Mrs.  Washington  accompanied  him  to 
his  beloved  retirement  at  Mount  Vernon,  with  her 
o-randchildren,  Miss  Eleanor  Custis  and  Georgre  W,  P. 
Custis.     The  son  of  La  Fayette  w^as  his  preceptor. 

At  that  time  deportment  in  the  drawing-room  was 
a  reflex  of  temper  in  the  Cabinet  and  the  Senate ; 
and  styles  of  living  and  conversation  were  continu- 
ally referred  to  as  evidences  of  political  tendencies. 
The  statesmanship  of  Washington,  Adams,  Jay,  Ham- 
ilton, Marshall,  and  their  friends,  was  commented  on 
by  the  social  habits  of  their  adherents,  as  well  as  that 
of  Jefferson,  Randolph,  Giles,  Paine,  Madison,  Monroe, 
and  the  other  opposition  leaders. 


II. 

JOHN  ADAMS'  ADMINISTEATION. 

Mrs.  Adams'  Description  of  Her  Philadelpliia  Residence — A  Presiden- 
tial Drawing-room — ]Mr.  Adams  at  a  Dinner  at  Mr.  Bingham's — 
A  Singular  Incident — The  Inauguration — Departure  of  General  and 
Mrs.  Washington — Character  of  Mrs.  Adams — Presiding  in  the  Ex- 
ecutive Mansion — Gayeties  of  the  City — Routs  and  Tea  and  Cards — 
Gambling  customaiy  at  Parties — An  honored  Visitor  in  Mrs.  Adams' 
Circle — Removal  of  the  Capital  to  Washington — Descriptions  of  the 
"  Wilderness  City  " — Mrs.  Adams*  Lively  Picture — Inconveniences 
and  Privations — Marcia  Burns  a  noted  Belle — Married  to  J.  P.  Van 
Ness — Samuel  Dexter — Mrs.  Adams  in  after  Life. 

Iisr  the  contest  for  the  Presidency,  Mr.  Adams  pre- 
vailed by  a  very  small  majorit}^  Hence,  Federalism 
was  still  ascendant  in  the  national  councils,  though 
considerably  depressed  in  those  of  some  of  the  States. 
The  tone  given  by  Washington  was  maintained  by 
his  successor. 

Mrs.  John  Adams,  in  a  letter  to  her  daughter  Mrs. 
Smith,  in  November,  1790,  describes  her  new  resi- 
dence in  Philadelphia :  "  Bush  Hill,  as  it  is  called, 
though  there  remains  neither  bush  nor  shrub  upon 
it,  and  very  few  trees,  except  the  pine  grove  behind 
it — is  a  very  beautiful  place.  But  the  grand  and  the 
sublime  I  left  at  Richmond  Hill : — the  Schuvlkill  is  no 
more  like  the  Hudson  than  I  to  Hercules.  By  acci- 
dent the  ves.'^el  with  our  furniture   had  arrived  the 


MKS.    ADAMS'    RESIDENCE.  43 

clay  before^  and  Briesler  Avas  taking  in  the  first  load 
into  a  house  all  green  painted  ;  the  workmen  there 
Avith  their  brushes  in  hand.  Tliis  was  cold  comfort  in 
a  house,  where  I  suppose  no  fire  had  been  kindled 
for  several  years,  except  in  a  back  kitchen. 

"The  next  morning  was  pleasant,  and  I  ventured 
to  come  and  take  possession ;  but  what  confusion ! 
Boxes,  barrels,  chairs,  tables,  trunks,  &:c.  The  first 
object  was  to  get  fires  ;  the  next  to  get  up  beds  ;  but 
the  cold  damp  rooms,  the  new  paint,  &c.,  proved  almost 
too  much  for  me.  On  Sunday  Thomas  Avas  laid  up 
with  the  rheumatism ;  on  Monday,  I  was  obliged  to 
give  Louisa  an  emetic  ;  on  Tuesday  Mrs.  Briesler  was 
taken  with  her  old  pain ;  and  on  Thursday  Polly  was 
seized  with  a  violent  pleuritic  fever.  And  every  day, 
the  stormy  ones  excepted,  from  eleven  till  three  the 
house  is  filled  with  ladies  and  gentlemen.  Mrs. 
Bingham  has  been  twice  to  sec  me.  I  think  she  is 
more  amiable  and  beautiful  than  ever.  Nancy  Ham- 
ilton is  the  same  unaffected  affable  irirl  we  formerlv 
knew.  Mrs.  Lear  was  in  to  see  me  yesterday,  and 
assures  me  I  am  much  better  off  than  Mrs.  Washing;- 
ton  will  be  when  she  arrives ;  for  their  house  is  not 
likely  to  be  completed  this  year.  And  when  all  is 
done,  it  will  not  be  BroadAvay.  If  New  York  wanted 
any  revenge  for  the  removal,  the  citizens  might  be 
glutted  if  they  would  come  here,  where  every  article 
has  become  almost  double  in  price  and  where  it  is 
not  possible  for  Congress  and  the  appendages  to  be 
half  as  well  accommodated  for  a  long  time." 

At  the  age  of  forty  this  daughter  of  a  village  cler- 
gyman and  wife  of  a  village  lawyer  had  left  her  mod- 


44  JOIIX    ADAMS'   ADMIXISTKATIOX. 

est  home  r.t  Braintree  to  mingle  in  the  shows  of  a 
magnificent  court,  Avhere  her  husband  was  ambassa- 
dor, and  where  she  maintained  the  social  fiime  of  her 
country.  Her  native  alnlities  and  habitual  eleva- 
tion of  feeling  and  demeanor,  supplied  the  want  of 
that  aristocratic  cultivation  illustrated  in  everything 
around  her.  and  commanded  a  higher  consideration  for 
herself  than  the  raidc  of  the  minister.  She  was  four 
years  in  Paris  and  London,  and  had  but  recently  re- 
turned, when  the  election  of  Mr.  Adams  as  Vice-Presi- 
dent summoned  him  to  Nevv'  York.  Mrs.  Adams  was 
then  in  the  maturity  of  her  life  and  her  mental  powers. 
She  joined  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Smith,  in  Xew  York. 

Ai^ain  she  wrote  : 

"  On  Friday  evening  last  I  went  with  Charles  to 
the  drawing-room.  The  room  became  full  before  I 
left  it,  and  the  circle  very  brilliant.  How  could  it  be 
otherwise,  a  constellation  of  beauties  ?  Mrs.  Bingham 
has  certainly  given  laws  to  the  ladies  here,  in  fashion 
and  elegance.  Mrs.  Powell,  I  join  the  general  voice 
in  pronouncing  a  yqyy  interesting  woman.  She  is 
aunt  to  Mrs.  Bingham." 

'•  I  have  received  manv  invitations  to  tea  and  cards 
in  the  European  style,  but  have  hitherto  declined 
them  on  account  of  my  health,"  &c. 

In  June,  1705,  Mr.  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife: 

"  Yesterday  I  dined  at  Mr.  Bingham's  with  a  large 
company.  While  at  table  a  servant  came  to  me,  with 
a  message  from  Mr.  Law,  who  desired  to  speak  with 
me  in  the  ante-chamber.  1  went  out  to  him,  and 
found  that  he  wanted  to  enquire  of  me  concerning  a 
youuLC  ladv  of  amiable  manners  and  eleirant  educa- 


THE     INAUGURATION.  45 

tlon,  whom  Mr.  Law  and  Mr.  Grccnleaf  had  found  in 
Maryland  in  great  distress  and  a  little  disarranged, 
and  brought  with  them  to  Phihidelphia." 

January  11,  1707 : 

'•'On  Tuesday,  wdien  I  waited  as  usual  on  Mrs. 
Washington,  after  attending  the  levee,  she  congratu- 
lated me  very  complaisantly  and  affectionately  on  my 
election  to  the  Presidency,  and  went  farther  and  said 
more  than  I  expected.  She  said  it  gave  them  great 
pleasure  to  find  that  the  votes  had  turned  in  my 
favor." 

At  the  inauguration  of  President  Adams,  he  w^rote  : 

'^  Chief  Justice  Ellsw^orth  administered  the  oath, 
and  with  great  energy.  Judges  Gushing,  Wilson, 
and  Iredell  wxre  present.  Many  ladies.  ...  I  be- 
lieve scarcely  a  dry  eye  but  Washington's." 

Chestnut  Street,  in  the  vicinity  of  Congress  Hall 
was  filled  wath  an  immense  concourse  on  the  day  of 
Washington's  final  retirement  and  the  inauguration 
of  President  Adams.  It  was  the  Fourth  of  March 
1707.  Mr.  Adams,  then  sixty-one  years  of  age,  was 
dressed  in  a  full  suit  of  pearl-colored  broadcloth,  and 
w^ore  his  hair  powdered.  .  At  eleven  Jefferson  took 
his  oath  as  Vice-President  before  the  Senate;  at 
twelve  Washington  entered  the  crowded  Chamber  of 
Kepresentatives,  followed  by  Adams;  both  received 
with  enthusiastic  cheers.  The  new  President  being 
inaugurated,  gave  his  address  before  the  administra- 
tion of  the  oath.  "At  the  close  of  the  ceremony" 
said  President  Duer,  "  as  the  venerable  hero  moved 
towards  the  door,  there  w\as  a  rush  from  the  gallery 
that  threatened   the  lives  of  those  who  w^ere  most 


46  JOnX    ADAMS'  ADMIXISTP.ATIOX. 

eager  to  catch  a  last  look.  Some  of  us  effected  our 
escape  by  slipping  down  the  pillars."  As  soon  as  Mr. 
Adams  had  returned  to  his  residence,  Washington 
made  him  a  visit,  cordially  congratulated  him,  and 
expressed  a  wish  that  his  administration  might  be 
happy,  successful,  and  honorable.  In  the  evening  an 
entertainment  was  given  by  the  principal  citizens  at 
the  amphitheater.  The  leading  public  characters,  in- 
cluding the  foreign  ministers,  were  present. 

Mrs.  Adams  had  written  to  her  husband,  Feb.  8th, 
1797.  On  that  day  the  votes  for  President  were 
counted,  and  Mr.  Adams,  as  Vice-President,  was  re- 
quired to  announce  himself  as  President  elect : 

''  You  have  this  day  to  declare  yourself  head  of  a 
nation.  ^  And  now,  O  Lord,  ray  God,  Thou  hast  made 
Thy  servant  ruler  over  the  people.  Give  to  him  an 
understanding  heart,  that  he  may  know  how  to  go 
out  and  come  in  before  this  great  people  ;  that  he 
may  discern  between  good  and  bad.  For  who  is  able 
to  judge  this  thy  so  great  a  people!'  w^ere  the  words 
of  a  royal  sovereign ;  and  not  less  applicable  to  him 
who  is  invested  with  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  a  na- 
tion, though  he  wear  not  a  crown,  nor  the  robes  of 
royalty." 

"  Mv  feelincrs  are  not  those  of  pride  or  ostentation 
upon  the  occasion.  The}'  are  solemnized  by  a  sense 
of  the  obligations,  the  important  trusts  and  numerous 
duties  connected  with  it." 

The  retirement  of  General  Washington  from  the 
Presidency  at  the  end  of  eight  years,  was  the  signal 
for  the  great  struggle  between  the  two  political  par- 
ties which  had  been  rapidlv  maturini!*  their  orc^aniza- 


CIIAKACTER     OF    :S[IIS.    ADAMS.  47 

tloii  (luring  his  administration.  Mr.  Adams'  election 
was  by  a  bare  majority  of  the  electoral  college,  and 
acrainst  the  inclinations  of  one  section  even  of  that 
party  Avhich  supported  him.  The  open  defection  of 
that  section  at  the  next  election,  turned  the  scale 
against  him,  and  elevated  Mr.  Jefferson. 

Mr.  Adams  wrote,  9th  March,  1797: 

""^The  President  and  Mrs.  Washino-ton  2:0  off  this 
morning  for  Mount  Vernon.  Yesterday  afternoon  he 
came  to  make  me  his  farewell  visit,  and  requested 
me,  in  his  own  name  and  Mrs.  Washington's,  to  pre- 
sent '  their  resjoects  '  to  Mrs.  Adams.  I  believe  that  I 
envied  him  more  than  he  did  me  and  with  reason. 
The  house  is  to  be  cleared  and  cleaned,  and  I  am  to 
go  into  it  on  Monday  next  if  possible.  I  shall  make  a 
small  establishment  for  myself,  for  the  present,  and 
wait  your  advice  for  ulterior  arrangements." 

Mrs.  Adams  appeared,  as  in  other  situations,  the 
accomplished  woman,  the  pure-hearted  patriot,  and 
the  worthy  partner  of  her  husband's  cares  and  honors. 
In  her  elevated  position,  her  grace  and  elegance,  with 
her  charms  of  conversation,  were  rendered  more  at- 
tractive by  her  frank  sincerity.  Her  close  observa- 
tion, discrimination  of  character,  and  clear  judgment, 
gave  her  an  influence  that  failed  not  to  be  acknowl- 
edged. Her  buoyant  cheerfulness  and  affectionate 
sympathy  sustained  the  spirit  of  her  husband,  and  it 
w^as  her  part  in  social  life  to  calm  agitations,  heal  the 
rankling  wounds  of  pride,  and  pluck  away  the  root  of 
bitterness. 

When  Adams  became  President,  Pliiladel2:)hia  was 
still  the  national  capital;   but  in   1800,  the  seat  of 


48  JOHN    ADAMS'   ADMINISTRATIO:^^ 

government  was  transferred  to  Washington^  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  The  struggle  of  parties  which 
had  begun  in  the  first  President's  term,  became  more 
violent  in  that  of  Mr.  Adams ;  but  the  exemplary  de- 
portment of  his  wife  went  far  to  disarm  even  the 
demon  of  party  spirit.  She  enjoyed  universal  esteem 
as  well  for  the  endowments  of  her  mind  as  the  cor- 
rectness of  her  deportment ;  and  the  only  form  which 
personal  malevolence  or  party  malignity  could  assume 
to  turn  her  virtues  into  weapons  of  annoyance,  was 
that  of  occasional  insinuations  that  she  exercised 
over  her  husband  an  influence  which  extended  even 
to  measures  of  public  concernment.  Those  who  could 
not  deny  her  tenderness  and  womanly  grace,  main- 
tained that  her  chief  distinction  was  a  masculine 
understanding. 

The  social  circles  of  the  metropolis  were  nearly  the 
same  during  the  administration  of  Adams,  as  in  the 
preceding  one.  The  increasing  virulence  of  party 
strife  had  some  effect  in  disturbing  the  harmony  of 
society. 

Mrs.  Adams  wrote  of  the  gayeties  of  Philadelphia : 
'•  I  should  spend  a  very  dissipated  winter  if  I  were  to 
accept  one-half  of  the  invitations  I  receive,  particu- 
larly to  the  routs  or  tea  and  cards."  There  was  a 
prevalent  passion  for  gambling ;  and  at  one  time  it 
was  not  uncommon  to  hear  that  a  lady  or  a  gentle- 
man had  lost  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  at  a  sit- 
ting. Mrs.  Adams  pronounced  the  dancing  "very 
good,"  but  says  of  the  etiquette :  '-  It  was  not  to  be 
found."  '-  Friendliness,"  she  adds,  "  is  kept  up  among 
the   principal  families   who  appear  to  live  in  great 


PRIMITIVE    STATE    OF    "WASHINGTON.  49 

harmony ;  and  we  meet  in  all  places  nearly  the  same 
company." 

Josiah  Quincy  was  one  of  the  honored  visitors  of 
Mrs.  Adams'  circle.  She  wrote  of  him,  on  his  arrival  : 
^•'  This  young  man  is  a  rare  instance  of  hereditary 
eloquence  and  ingenuity  in  the  fourth  generation. 
He  comes  into  life  with  every  advantage  of  family, 
fortune  and  education." 

The  site  of  Washington  had  been  twelve  j^ears  be- 
fore designated  as  the  future  and  permanent  capital 
of  the  country ;  yet  it  remained  in  a  very  primitive 
state.  Wolcott  wrote  to  his  wife :  "  There  is  one 
good  tavern,  about  forty  rods  from  the  capitol,  and 
several  other  houses  are  built  or  erecting ;  but  I  do 
not  see  how  the  members  of  Congress  can  possibly 
secure  lodgings,  unless  they  will  consent  to  livij 
like  scholars  in  a  college,  or  monks  in  a  monastery, 
crowded  ten  or  twenty  in  one  house,  and  utterly  se- 
cluded from  society.  There  are  few  houses  in  any 
one  place,  and  most  of  them  small,  miserable  huts, 
which  present  an  awful  contrast  to  the  public  build- 
ings. The  people  are  poor,  and  as  far  as  I  can  judge, 
they  live  like  fishes,  by  eating  each  other.  You  may 
look  in  almost  any  direction,  over  an  extent  of 
ground  nearly  as  large  as  the  city  of  New  York,  with- 
out seeing  a  fence  or  any  object  except  brick-kilns 
and  temporary  huts  for  laborers.  There  appears  to 
be  a  confident  expectation  that  this  place  will  soon 
exceed  any  city  in  the  world." 

Gouverneur  Morris  wrote  to  a  lady,  a  few  months 
later: — "We  w^ant  nothing  here  but  houses,  cellars, 
kitchens,  well-informed    men,  amiable    women    and 


50  JOHN   ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION^. 

other  little  trifles  of  the  kind  to  make  our  city  per- 
fect ;  for  we  can  walk  here  as  if  in  the  fields  and 
woods,  and,  considering  the  hard  frost,  the  air  of  the 
city  is  very  pure.  I  enjoy  more  of  it  than  any  one 
else;  for  my  room  is  filled  with  smoke  whenever  the 
door  is  shut." 

Mrs.  Adams  gave  a  still  livelier  picture,  writing  to 
her  daughter.  ^^In  the  city  there  are  buildings 
enough,  if  they  were  compact  and  finished,  to  accom- 
modate Congress  and  those  attached  to  it;  but  as 
they  are  and  scattered  as  they  are,  I  see  no  great 
comfort  for  them.  The  river,  which  runs  up  to  Alex- 
andria, is  in  full  view  from  my  window,  and  I  see  the 
vessels  as  they  pass  and  repass.  The  house  is  on  a 
grand  and  superb  scale,  requiring  about  thirty  ser- 
vants to  attend  and  keep  the  apartments  in  proper 
order  and  perform  the  ordinary  business  of  the  house 
and  stables ;  an  establishment  very  well  proportioned 
to  the  President's  salary.  The  lighting  the  apart- 
ments from  the  kitchen  to  parlors  and  chambers  is  a 
tax  indeed,  and  the  fires  we  are  obliged  to  keep  to 
secure  us  from  daily  agues  is  another  very  cheering 
comfort.  Bells  arc  wholly  wanting;  not  one  being 
hung  through  the  whole  house,  and  promises  are  all 
you  can  obtain.  Yesterday  I  returned  fifteen  visits." 
A  letter  dated  \Yashington,  November,  1800,  says: 
"  Woods  are  all  you  see  from  Baltimore,  until  you  reach  the  city, 
■which  is  so  only  in  name.  No  wood-cutters  or  carters  to  be  had  at  any 
rate.  Wc  are  now  indebted  to  a  Penns3'lvania  wagon  to  bring  us, 
through  tlic  first  clerk  in  the  Treasury  office,  one  cord  and  a  half  of 
wood,  which  is  all  wc  liavc  for  this  house,  where  twelve  fires  are  con- 
stantly required ;  and  we  are  told  the  roads  will  soon  be  so  bad  it 
cannot  bo  drawn.     l>ricslcr  procured  two  hundred  bushels  of  coal,  or 


SSlB& 


P13BUC 


Iiag^"b7  J.C3uttre 


FROM  STTTAHT'S  PIC  TUBE 


THE    WILDERNESS    CITr.  53 

we  must  have  suffered.  This  is  the  situation  of  almost  every  person. 
The  public  officers  have  sent  to  Philadelphia  for  wood-cutters  and 
wagons.".  .  .  "  The  vessel  which  has  mj  clothes  and  other  matters  has 
not  arrived.  The  ladies  are  impatient  for  a  drawing-room :  I  have  no 
looking  glasses  but  dwarfs  for  this  house ;  nor  a  twentieth  part  lamps 
enough  to  light  it ;  my  tea  china  is  more  than  half  missing.".  .  . 
*'  You  can  scarcely  believe  that  here,  in  this  wilderness  city,  I  should 
find  my  time  so  occupied  as  it  is.  My  visitors, — some  of  them — come 
three  or  four  miles.  The  return  of  one  of  them  is  the  work  of  one  day : 
most  of  the  ladies  reside  in  Georgetown,  or  in  scattered  parts  of  the  city 
at  two  and  three  miles'  distance.  Mrs.  Otis,  my  nearest  neighbor,  is  at 
lodo;inps  almost  half  a  mile  from  me  :  Mrs.  Senator  Otis  two  miles." 
.  .  .  "  We  have  not  the  least  fence,  yard  or  other  convenience  without, 
and  the  great  unfinished  audience-room  I  make  a  drying  room  of,  to  hang 
the  clothes  in.  .  .  .  Six  chambers  are  made  comfortable;  two  are  occupied 
by  the  President  and  Mr.  Shaw;  two  lower  rooms, — one  for  a  common 
parlor,  and  one  for  a  levceroom.  Up  stairs  there  is  the  oval  room,  which 
is  designed  for  the  drawing-room,  and  has  the  crimson  furniture  in  it." 

Mrs.  Adams  made  no  claim  to  learning ;  tliongli  her 
reading  had  been  extensive  in  the  lighter  departments 
of  literature,  and  she  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
poets  in  her  own  language.  The  soul  shining  through 
her  words  gave  them  their  great  attraction  ;  "  the 
spirit,  ever  equal  to  the  occasion,  whether  a  great  or 
a  small  one  ;  a  spirit  inquisitive  and  earnest  in  the 
little  details  of  life,  as  when  she  was  in  France  and 
England  ;  playful,  when  she  describes  daily  duties ; 
but  rising  to  the  call  when  the  roar  of  cannon  is  in 
her  ears,  or  when  she  reproves  her  husband  for  not 
knowing  her  better  than  to  think  her  a  coward  and 
to  fear  telling  her  bad  news ;  or  w^hen  she  warns  her 
son  that  she  ^  would  rather  he  had  found  his  grave  in 
the  ocean,  or  that  any  untimely  death  should  crop 
him  in  his  infant  j'cars,  than  see  him  an  immoral, 
profligate,  or  graceless  child.'" 


54  JOnX   ADAMS'   ADMINISTRATIOIS". 

One  of  the  most  admired  belles  in  Washington  at 
the  commencement  of  the  century  was  Miss  Marcia 
Burns,  the  daughter  of  David  Burns,  whose  estate, 
inherited  from  Scottish  ancestors,  had  covered  the 
site  of  the  capital.  Marcia  lived  with  her  widowed 
mother;  and  the  extraordinary  attractions  of  her  per- 
son, manners  and  character  drew  a  throng  of  admirers 
around  the  lovely  heiress.  She  married  John  P.  Van 
Ness,  in  1802.  She  was  prominent  in  Washington 
society  fifteen  years,  and  her  house  was  the  resort 
of  a  brilliant  and  distinguished  circle.  After  the  un- 
timely death  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Arthur  Middleton, 
Mrs.  Van  Ness  retired  from  the  world,  devoting  her 
time  to  works  of  charity.* 

Mr.  Samuel  Dexter  was  a  member  of  the  cabinet 
under  the  Presidency  of  John  Adams.  Mrs.  Adams 
condoling  with  his  wife  after  his  death,  calls  him  "a 
great  man,  fallen  in  the  zenith  of  his  glory ;  and  in 
the  estimation  of  his  ancient  friend,  the  ablest  states- 
man of  his  age  which  his  native  State  could  boast. 
Such  an  assemblage  of  powerful  talents  rarely  meet 
in  one  individual  united  to  such  an  upright  and  in- 
dependent mind,  which  soared  above  all  low  concerns, 
and  was  elevated  beyond  all  selfish  considerations  and 
party  views." 

Mrs.  Adams  wrote  Mr.  Jefferson  a  kind  letter  of 
condolence  from  Quincy,  in  May,  1804.  It  was  to 
her  care  his  vouns^  daughter  had  been  committed 
when  she  went  abroad,  and  Mrs.  Adams  "  recalled 
the  tender  scene  of  separation  from  me,  when,  with 

*For  memoirs  of  this  ladj  and  others  of  her  family,  see  "The  Queens  of 
American  Society." 


MRS.  ADAMS'   CnARACTER.  55 

the  strongest  sensibility,  she  clung  around  my  neck 
and  wet  my  bosom  with  her  tears,  saying,  ^  Oh,  now 
I  have  learned  to  love  you,  why  will  they  take  me 
from  3'ou?'"  This  letter  led  to  an  overture  for  a  re- 
newal of  former  friendship,  and  to  some  mutual 
explanations.  But  Mrs.  Adams  w^as  not  easily  molli- 
fied, and  the  correspondence  w^as  closed  with  her 
feelings  apparently  unappeased  by  the  concessions 
of  one  who  had  been  a  political  adversary.  Of  Mrs. 
Adams  it  w\as  said :  "  Her  lofty  lineaments  carried  a 
trace  of  the  Puritan  severity.  They  were  those  of 
the  helmed  Minerva,  and  not  of  the  csestus-girdled 
Venus.  Her  correspondence  uniformly  exhibits  a 
didactic  personage,  a  little  inclined  to  assume  a*  ser- 
monizing attitude,  as  befitted  the  well-trained  and 
self-reliant  daughter  of  a  New  England  country 
clergyman,  and  a  little  inclined,  after  the  custom  of 
her  people,  to  return  thanks  that  she  had  no  lot  or 
part  in  anything  that  w^as  not  of  Massachusetts. 
Perhaps  the  masculineness  of  her  understanding  ex- 
tended somewhat  to  the  firmness  of  her  temper. 
But,  towering  above,  and  obscuring  these  minor  an- 
gularities, she  possessed  a  strength  of  intellectual  and 
moral  character,  which  commands  our  unqualified  ad- 
miration. When  her  New  England  frigidity  gave 
way  and  kindled  into  enthusiasm,  it  was  not  like 
"  light  straw  on  fire,"  but  '-  red-hot  steel."  '-  Had 
Mr.  Adams  been  the  victor  and  Mr.  Jefferson  the 
vanquished,  half  the  advances  made  by  the  latter 
would  have  sufficed.  The  overthrow  of  a  President 
had  not  then  been  made  a  common  occurrence ;  cir- 
cumstances rendered  the  downfall  of  Mr.  Adams  per- 


56  JOHN   ADAMS'   ADMINISTRATION. 

sonally  irritating  and  humiliating,  and  Mrs.  Adams 
felt  morbidly  for  her  husband." 

Mrs.  Adams  lost  none  of  the  imposing  features  of 
her  character  in  the  decline  of  life.  A  visitor  at 
Quincy  described  Mr.  Adams  as  of  sound  mind  and 
heart,  though  trembling  as  with  palsy.  He  joked  and 
laughed  heartily,  and  talked  freely  about  everything 
and  everybody  ;  seeming  a  vast  encyclopedia  of  writ- 
ten and  unwritten  knowledge,  which  gushed  out  on 
every  topic,  and  was  mingled  with  lively  anecdotes 
and  sallies  of  humor.  His  carelessness  of  lano^uacire 
suggested  anything  but  pedantry  :  in  short,  the  brave 
old  man  w^as  as  dehs^htful  as  he  w\as  commandinf?  in 
conversation.  While  the  guest  w^as  enjoying  the  in- 
terview, an  aged  and  stately  woman  came  in,  and  he 
Avas  introduced  to  Mrs.  Adams.  Her  cap  of  delicate 
lace  surrounded  features  still  exhibiting  intellect  and 
energy  though  possessing  no  beauty.  She  w^as  dressed 
in  pure  white,  and  there  was  that  immaculate  neat- 
ness in  her  appearance  which  gives  to  age  almost  the 
sweetness  of  youth.  With  less  warmth  of  manner 
and  sociability  than  Mr.  Adams,  she  w\as  gracious,  and 
her  occasional  remarks  betrayed  intellectual  vigor 
and  strong  sense.  Her  serenity  and  benign  cheerful- 
ness continued  to  the  last ;  the  shadows  of  a  life  full 
of  changes  never  deepened  into  gloom ;  and  she  was 
still  a  messenger  of  blessing  to  all  w^ithin  her  influ- 
ence. In  1813,  she  lost  her  only  daughter,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam S.  Smith.  Mrs.  Adams  died,  seventy-four  years 
of  age,  in  October,  1818. 


.  ni. 

JEFFEESOX'S  AD:\IIXISTEATI0N. 

The  two  great  Parties — The  Widow  Skelton — The  Musical  Courtship — 
The  Bridal  Festivities — The  Snow-storm — Jefferson's  Equipage — 
Fashions  in  Dress — The  Inauguration — Absence  of  Court  Cere- 
mony— Vain  Protest  of  Ladies  against  the  abolition  of  Levees — 
Social  Etiquette — Complaint  of  the  British  ^Minister  of  uncivil 
Treatment — Tom  Moore's  Indignation  and  Abuse  of  Americans — 
Burr's  Treason — The  President's  Courtesy — The  old  Man  at  the 
Ferry — The  Kentuckian  won  over — Josiah  Quincy's  Experiences — 
Why  the  Barbers  were  Federalists — Personal  Appearance  of  Jeffer- 
son and  Madison — Hospitality  at  Monticello — "  Country  (jentle- 
man '*  St3de  of  Living — Domestic  Life  of  the  Ex-President — Illus- 
trative Anecdotes — Death  of  Jefferson — Interesting  Case  of  Virginia 
Murray: — Character  of  John  Randolph — His  Declamation  and  pi- 
quant Wit — The  Irishman  who  sought  his  Acquaintance — Amusing 
Anecdotes. 

As  events  rolled  on,  one  circumstance  and  another 
conspired  to  mark  more  distinctly  the  lines  between 
the  parties  of  the  day,  and  at  the  period  of  the  elec- 
tion of  the  third  President  of  the  United  States,  they 
were  very  clearly  defined  throughout  the  Union, 
luider  the  names  of  Federalists  and  Democrats.  In 
the  first  class  were  included  Washington,  Hamilton, 
Jay,  Pickering,  Am.es,  Marshall,  and  others  like  them; 
the  last  enrolled  in  its  list  Jefferson,  Burr,  George 
Clinton,  Madison,  and  many  more  throughout  the 
States. 


58  Jefferson's  administration. 

"Jefferson's  influeiuce  "  said  an  English  writer,"  was 
greater  than  that  of  any  other  President  except 
Washington ;  and  the  reason  is,  that  his  convictions 
went  along  with  the  national  mind."  Jefferson  mar- 
ried, January  1, 1772,  Mrs.  Martha  Skelton.  She  was 
the  widow  of  Bathurst  Skelton  and  the  daughter  of 
John  Wayles  of  "  The  Forest"  iii  Charles  City  County, 
Wayles  v;as  an  Englishman  and  had  been  three  times 
married ;  his  last  wife  was  Mrs.  Martha  Epes,  widow 
of  Llewellin  Epes,  of  Bermuda  Hundred.  Martha 
Wayles  was  born  in  1749,  and  married  Skelton  in 
1766.  Her  husband  lived  but  two  years.  The  widow, 
scarcely  advanced  beyond  her  girlhood,  was  distin- 
guished for  beauty,  accomplishments,  and  solid  merit. 
She  was  slight,  but  exquisitely  formed,  a  little  above 
the  medium  hight.  Her  complexion  was  brilliant; 
her  large  expressive  eyes  were  a  soft,  rich  hazel ;  her 
luxuriant  hair  was  golden  auburn.  She  walked,  rode, 
danced,  with  inimitable  grace  and  spirit ;  she  sang, 
and  played  the  spinet  and  harpsichord,  (the  musical 
instruments  of  the  ladies  of  that  day  in  Virginia) 
with  admirable  skill.  She  was  also  well  read  and  in- 
telligent; she  conversed  agreeably,  had  excellent 
sense  and  a  lively  play  of  fancy,  and  possessed  a 
disposition  frank,  ardent,  and  impulsive.  She  had 
proved  herself  a  true  daughter  of  the  Old  Dominion 
in  housewifery,  and  was  a  clever  business  woman. 
With  these  traits,  added  to  rank  and  wealth,  it  is  not 
^vonderful  that  she  was  a  favorite  in  society,  and  that 
her  hand  was  sought  by  wooers  far  and  near. 

Tradition  has  preserved  an  anecdote,  that  on  one 
occasion  two  of  Mrs.  Skelton's  admirers  chanced  to 


THE    WEDDING   JOURXET.  59 

meet  at  the  door  of  her  house,  and  were  shown  into 
a  room  where  they  heard  her  harpsichord  and  voice, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Jefferson's  vioHn  and  voice,  in  a 
touching  song.  They  hstened  for  a  stanza  or  two, 
and  then,  convinced  of  the  hopelessness  of  their  er- 
rand, took  their  hats  and  retired.  Another  and  less 
probable  version  of  the  ^tory  is,  that  the  //^ree  wooers 
met  on  the  door-stone,  and  agreed  to  '-take  turns," 
and  that  the  interview  should  be  decisive ;  that  Jef- 
ferson led  off,  and  that  during  his  trial,  the  others 
heard  the  music  that  settled  the  point ! 

The  bridal  festivities  at  the  "Forest"  were  vrorthy 
of  Virginian  hospitality.  Eev.  Mr.  Davis,  the  officiat- 
ing clergyman,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Coutts,  shared  the  fees, 
and  douceurs  to  fiddlers  and  servants  occupy  a  page 
of  the  pocket  account-book.  The  bride  and  bride- 
groom, when  they  set  out  for  Monticello,  had  a  light 
snow-storm ;  and,  as  they  advanced  up  the  country, 
had  to  leave  the  carriage,  which  stuck  in  the  snow, 
and  proceed  on  horseback.  They  stopped  a  short 
time  at  Blenheim,  eight  miles  from  Monticello,  the 
seat  of  Col.  Carter,  where  an  overseer  lived.  At  sun- 
set they  pursued  their  way  through  a  mountain  track, 
the  snow  from  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  deep.  They 
arrived  at  Monticello  late  at  night,  the  fires  all  out 
and  the  servants  retired  to  their  own  houses.  It  was 
a  dreary  welcome  for  the  bride. 

The  only  part  of  the  house  then  habitable  was  a 
small  pavilion.  Part  of  a  bottle  of  wine,  found  on  a 
shelf  behind  some  books,  served  the  newly  married 
couple  both  for  fire  and  supper.  But  their  sunny  tem- 
pers found  all  a  source  of  diversion,  and  the  dreari- 


60  Jefferson's  admixistkatiox. 

ness  was  banished  by  song  and  memment.  The  next 
day  the  snow  was  three  feet  deep.  At  this  time  Jeffer- 
son drove  only  a  pha3ton  and  two  horses ;  though  the 
grandees  drove  six,  and  the  middlemen  four.  Jeffer- 
son always  had  magnificent  horses.  When  his  saddle 
horse  was  led  out,  if  there  was  a  spot  on  him  that  did 
not  shine  like  a  mirror,  he  rubbed  it  with  a  white 
handkerchief;  and  if  this  was  soiled,  the  groom  was 
reprimanded.    Mrs.  Jefferson  died  in  September,  1782. 

The  fashions  of  the  commencement  of  the  century 
in  female  dress,  were  significant.  In  June,  for  a  head- 
dress, a  hat  of  white  muslin  was  turned  u]d  in  front 
and  ornamented  with  white  ostrich  feathers;  a  bow 
of  white  ribbon  fixed  to  the  top  of  the  crown,  hung 
down  behind.  Also  a  cap  of  pink  crape  and  white 
lace ;  a  bunch  of  flowers  in  front,  and  one  ostrich 
feather.  A  hat  of  chip  and  crape  was  made  in  the 
melon  form,  and  ornamented  with  a  rose  and  flower 
in  front.  A  cap  of  lace  was  thrown  carelessly  over  the 
head,  and  confined  with  a  lace  ruflf  which  passed  un- 
der the  chin.  The  favorite  colors  were  lilac,  pea- 
green,  pink  and  buff  Turbans,  with  white  ostrich 
feathers,  were  generally  worn  in  dress.  Pearls  were 
preferred  in  necklaces. 

After  Jefi^erson's  election,  he  was  anxious  that  the 
ceremonies  of  his  inauguration  in  the  new  Capitol  at 
^Washington,  March  4,  1801,  should  be  as  few  and 
simple  as  possible.  But  the  feelings  of  his  friends, 
who  had  flocked  to  the  cit}' — then  almost  a  wilder- 
ness, and  difficult  of  approach  —  would  not  permit 
him  to  ixo  unattended  to  the  Senate  chamber  to 
take    the    oath  of   office.      An   Enirlish   eve-witness 


Jefferson's  ixauguratiox.  61 

said :  "  His  dress  was  of  plain  cloth,  and  he  rode 
on  horseback  to  the  Capitol  without  a  single  guard, 
or  even  servant,  in  his  train  ;  dismounted  without 
assistance,  and  hitched  the  bridle  of  his  horse  to  the 
palisades." 

On  his  entering  the  Senate  chamber,  Burr,  who  had 
already  taken  the  oath  of  office,  gave  np  his  chair, 
and  took  his  seat  on  the  right.  On  the  left  sat  Chief- 
Justice  Marshall,  who  administered  the  oath ;  but 
two  imposing  figures  were  absent — the  late  President 
of  the  Senate  and  the  late  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  Mr.  Adams  had  abruptly  left  the 
city  early  in  the  mornino;  •  and  Sed<:^wick's  absence 
was  unexplained. 

After  Mr.  Jefierson  had  delivered  his  inaugural 
address,  listened  to  by  the  usual  crowd  of  officials, 
friends  and  spectators,  he  was  sworn  into  office  by 
the  Chief  Justice.  On  the  6th  March  he  wu^ote  to 
John  Dickinson  :  "  The  storm  through  which  we  have 
passed  has  been  tremendous  indeed.  The  tough  sides 
of  our  Argosie  have  been  thoroughly  tried.  Her 
strength  has  stood  the  waves  into  which  she  was 
steered  with  a  view  to  sink  her.  We  shall  put  her 
on  her  republican  tack,  and  she  will  now  show,  by 
the  beauty  of  her  motion,  the  skill  of  her  builders." 

The  day  before,  the  President  had  nominated  James 
Madison,  Secretary  of  State ;  Henry  Dearborn  of 
Massachusetts,  Secretary  of  War;  and  Levi  Lincoln 
of  Massachusetts,  Attorney  General.  In  May,  Albert 
Gallatin  of  Pennsylvania,  was  appointed  Secretary 
of  the  Treasur}^;  Samuel  and  Eobert  Smith  of  Mary- 
landp  successively  occupied  the  post  of  Secretary  of 


62  Jefferson's  administiiatiox. 

the  Navy ;  Gideon  Granger  of  Connecticut,  being 
appointed  Postmaster  General. 

Albert  Gallatin  was  a  man  of  profound  logical  and 
clear  understanding;  his  forte  lay  in  political  econ- 
omy, and  particularly  in  the  figures,  statistics,  and 
philosophy  of  finance,  lie  did  not  consider  the  Treas- 
ury Department  a  huge  turtle  to  constantly  lay  eggs 
in  the  sand  to  feed  those  carnivorous  political  birds 
Avhicli  might  otherwise  flesh  their  hungry  beaks  in 
the  carcass  of  the  administration.  Nor  did  he  con- 
sider it  like  the  turtle  of  the  mythologj^  of  certain 
Indian  tribes,  which  carries  the  world  on  its  back. 
His  integrity  was  above  suspicion ;  and  in  every  re- 
spect he  was  singularly  adapted  to  execute  the  pre- 
cise line  of  policy  the  new  President  desired  to  carry 
into  the  Treasury  Department. 

Jefferson  was  anxious  that  the  American  court 
should  be  like  its  government,  characterized  by  sim- 
plicity and  dignity.  A  foreign  functionary  who  had 
a  high  idea  of  his  own  importance  and  was  a  great 
stickler  for  etiquette,  which  Mr.  JelTerson  detested, 
went  one  morning  to  pay  him  a  visit  of  ceremony- 
he  found  the  philosopher  deliberately  drawing  on  his 
boot,  and  prepared  with  a  shoe-brush  to  give  it  a 
polishing  touch  vv'itli  his  own  hands. 

The  foreign  ambassador  w^as  shocked  at  the  sight 
of  so  degrading  an  occupation  in  the  ruler  of  Amer- 
ica. The  President  apologized  for  his  negligence  in 
not  being  prepared  for  the  honor  of  his  visit;  stating 
that  he  was  not  aware  of  his  intention  to  call  on  him, 
and  that,  being  a  plain  man,  he  did  not  like  to  put 
his  servants  to  unnecessary  trouble.     The  ambassador 


LEVEES    ABOLISHED.  Uo 

receive  entirely  satisfied  in  his  own  mind  that  no  gov- 
ernment could  long  exist,  the  head  of  which  was  his 
own  shoe-black  and  under  which  so  little  attention 
was  paid  to  etiquette. 

Jefferson  wrote  to  his  daughter — May  28th,  1801 — 
to  urge  expedition  in  her  j)i'eparations  for  removal 
to  Washington.  He  says :  '^  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Madison 
stayed  w^ith  me  about  three  weeks  till  they  could  get 
ready  a  house  to  receive  them.  This  has  given  me 
an  opportunity  of  making  some  acquaintance  with 
the  ladies  here.  We  shall  certainly  have  a  very 
agreeable  and  worthy  society.  It  would  make  them 
as  well  as  myself  very  happy  could  I  always  have 
yourself  or  your  sister  here."  He  had  already  de- 
clared, among  the  established  points  and  maxims  of 
his  administration,  that  "Levees  are  done  aw\ay." 
His  two  public  days  for  the  reception  of  company 
were  the  first  of  January  and  the  fourth  of  July; 
wdien  his  doors  were  thrown  open  to  all  who  chose 
to  enter  them.  At  other  times  all  who  wished  were 
permitted  to  call  upon  him. 

Some  of  the  fashionables — chiefly  ladies — had  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  abolition  of  levees  w^as  in- 
expedient. Accordingly,  they  mustered  in  force,  at 
the  usual  time,  at  the  presidential  mansion.  The 
President  soon  returned  from  his  ride  on  horseback, 
and  learning  what  an  extraordinary  number  of  ladies 
had  called,  and  at  once  comprehending  their  motive, 
he  went  immediately,  hat  in  hand,  spurs  on,  and  soiled 
with  dust,  into  their  midst.  He  expressed  himself 
overjoyed  at  such  a  happy  coincidence  ;  and  never 
had  he  been  seen  so  cordial  and  attentive ;  allow^ing 


G4  Jefferson's  admixistratiox. 

no  one  to  go  without  urging  her  to  stay  longer.  The 
fair  visitors  finally  departed,  laughing  heartily  at  the 
result  of  their  experiment.     It  was  never  repeated. 

It  was  one  of  the  regulations  of  the  social  etiquette 
agreed  on  hy  the  President  and  his  Cabinet,  that  resi- 
dents should  pay  the  first  visit  to  strangers,  and  first 
comers  to  later  comers,  except  in  the  case  of  foreign 
ministers,  who  were  to  pay  the  first  visit  to  the  minis- 
ters of  the  nation.  All  who  were  brought  together 
in  society  were  esteemed  on  a  perfect  equality.  The 
fiimilies  of  foreign  ministers  were  to  receive  the  first 
visit  from  those  of  the  national  ministers,  and  from 
other  residents.  No  title  being  admitted,  those  of 
foreigners  gave  no  precedence,  nor  did  any  differ- 
ence of  grade  among  the  diplomatic  members.  To 
maintain  this  principle  of  equality,  and  prevent  the 
growth  of  precedence  out  of  courtesy,  the  members 
of  the  executive  were-  to  practise  and  recommend  an 
adherence  to  the  ancient  usage  of  the  country — of 
gentlemen  in  mass  giving  precedence  to  the  ladies  in 
mass  in  passing  from  one  apartment  into  another. 

"Washington  at  this  time  was  considered  unhealthy, 
even  for  acclimated  Virginians,  for  more  than  two 
months  of  the  autumn.  During  August  and  Septem- 
ber, people  had  to  take  refuge  in  climates  rendered 
safer  by  their  habits  and  confidence. 

The  birthday  of  Mr.  Jefferson  was  never  publicly 
known  till  after  his  death.  He  refused  every  pro- 
posal to  have  it  celebrated  as  an  anniversary,  not 
wishing  ^-to  transfer  the  honors  and  veneration  for 
the  great  birthday  of  our  Republic  to  any  individual." 

It  was  touchinp:  to  sec  how  constantlv,  in  the  midst 


Jefferson's  daughters.  65 

of  public  business,  Mr.  Jefferson's  heart  turned  to  his 
absent  daughters.  His  letters  to  them  jorove  this. 
He  made  two  visits  every  year  to  Monticello  :  a  short 
one  in  early  spring,  and  a  longer  one  in  the  latter 
part  of  summer ;  always  stopping  at  Edgehill,  where 
Mrs.  Eppes,  his  youngest  daughter,  lived.  She  was 
in  delicate  health  for  some  years  and  died  in  April, 
1804.  She  had  been,  shortly  before,  carried  to  Mon- 
ticello in  a  litter  borne  by  men.  Her  father,  left 
alone  for  some  hours  after  her  death,  was  found  w^ith 
the  Bible  in  his  hands.  He  who  had  been  so  often 
and  so  harshly  accused  of  unbelief,  in  his  hour  of 
intense  affliction  sought  and  found  consolation  in  the 
sacred  volume. 

The  tw^o  daughters  had  visited  the  President  in 
Washington  in  the  winter  of  1802-3.  The  younger 
never  w^ent  there  again;  but  Mrs.  Randolph,  with 
her  children,  passed  some  time  there  in  the  winter  of 
1805-6.  Mrs.  Eppes  was  singularly  beautiful;  and 
vshe  w^as  high-principled,  just  and  generous.  Her  tem- 
per was  mild,  but  saddened  by  ill  health  in  her  later 
years.  Her  sister  possessed  inexhaustible  sweetness, 
kindness,  patience  and  self-devotion,  being  superior 
in  native  powers  of  intellect.  Jefferson  was  loved  by 
both  daughters  w^ith  the  utmost  devotion,  and  they 
considered  his  affection  as  the  great  good  of  their 
lives.  Mrs.  T.  Eston  Randolph,  the  sister  of  the  one 
who  married  Jefferson's  daughter,  was  an  exemplary 
and  admirable  woman. 

Mr.  Jefferson  felt  his  child's  death  with  terrible 
keenness.  He  wrote  to  his  friend  Gov.  Page : 
"  Others  may  lose  of  their  abundance ;   but  I  of  my 


66  Jefferson's  ad.  x.^istration. 

^vant,  have  lost  even  tlie  half  of  all  I  had.  My  even- 
ing prospc^cts  now  hang  on  the  slender  thread  of  a 
single  life." 

The  British  minister,  Mr.  Merry,  complained  to  Mr. 
Josiah  Quincy  of  uncivil  treatment  received  from 
President  Jellerson.  On  presenting  his  credentials, 
he  asked  Mr.  Madison,  the  Secretary  of  State,  to  in- 
troduce hiui  officially,  and  was  accompanied  by  him 
on  the  day  and  hour  appointed,  to  the  mansion  house. 
The  ambassador  wore  his  full  official  costume,  as  the 
etiquette  of  his  place  required.  They  found  the  hall 
of  audience  empty,  and  Mr.  Madison  led  the  way  to 
the  President's  study,  through  an  entry,  in  which 
they  met  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  in  this  narrow  sj^ace  the 
presentation  was  made.  The  President  was  "not 
merely  in  an  undress,  but  actually  standing  in  slip- 
pers down  at  the  heels,  and  both  pantaloons,  coat  and 
imder-clothes  indicative  of  an  indifference  to  appear- 
ance." Mr.  Merry  regarded  the  whole  scene  as  pre- 
pared and  intended  to  be  disrespectful  to  him  and 
the  sovereign  he  represented.  This  occurrence  was 
talked  of  by  the  opponents  of  the  President  to  his 
disparagement,  as  if  he  sought  unduly  the  gratifica- 
tion of  the  democracy. 

The  Irish  poet,  Tom  Moore,  wrote  to  his  mother 
from  Baltimore  in  June,  1804  :  ^- 1  stopped  at  \yash- 
ington  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merry  for  nearly  a  week. 
They  have  been  treated  with  the  most  pointed  inci- 
vility by  the  present  democratic  President,  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son; and  it  is  only  the  precarious  situation  of  Great 
Britain  which  could  possibly  induce  it  to  overlook 
such  indecent,  though  at  the  same  time  petty  hostil- 


THE    INSULTED   MINISTER.  G7 

ity.     I  vvas  presented  by  Mr.  Merry  to  both  the  Sec- 
retary of  State  and  the  President." 

This  "  hostility  "  was  thus  manifested  :  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Merry  were  invited  to  dine  at  the  President's,  and 
when  dinner  was  announced,  Mr.  Jefferson  chanced 
to  be  standing  by  and  talking  with  Mrs.  Madison,  at 
some  distance  from  Mrs.  Merry.  He  escorted  Mrs 
Madison  to  the  table,  and  the  angry  ambassador 
deemed  it  the  next  thing  to  an  insult,  making  such 
a  stir  about  it  that  Mr.  Madison  wTote  to  Mr.  Monroe, 
who  had  succeeded  Mr.  King  as  minister  to  England, 
apprising  him  of  the  facts,  to  enable  him  to  answer 
an  expected  call  of  the  British  government  for  offi- 
cial explanations  1  Monroe  got  his  first  information 
from  a  friendly  British  undersecretary;  and  he  was 
delighted  :  for  not  long  before,  the  wife  of  an  English 
undersecretary  had  been  given  precedence  over  his 
own  wife,  and  under  similar  circumstances.  But  no 
call  was  made  for  explanations,  and  Mrs.  Merry  tossed 
her  head  without  shaking  the  peace  of  two  nations. 
Merry,  however,  never  forgot  the  "  incivility,"  though 
he  and  his  friends  knew  that,  by  an  express  regula- 
tion at  the  executive  palace,  all  etiquette  in  respect 
to  official  precedence  was  formally  abolished.  Mr. 
Monroe  often  told  the  story,  and  a  better  one  of 
amusing  circumstances  that  took  place  at  an  official 
dinner,  wdiere  he  was  ranked  below  the  ministers  of 
sundry  German  States  "  about  half  as  big,  by  Jove, 
Sir !  as  our  county  of  Albemarle."  From  the  time 
of  that  offense  against  her  dignity,  Mrs.  Merry  avoided 
the  Presidential  mansion;  and  her  husband  only  went 
there  officially.      The  President  felt  a  good-natured 


68  JEFFERSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

wish  to  put  an  end  to  this  frivolous  matter ;  and  he 
inquired  of  the  Swedish  ambassador  if  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Merry  would  accept  an  invitation  to  a  family  dinner. 
The  invitation  was  sent  written  in  the  President's 
own  hand.  The  minister  replied  by  addrevssing  the 
Secretary  of  State  to  know  whether  he  was  invited  in 
his  private  or  his  official  capacity ;  if  in  the  one,  he 
must  obtain  the  permission  of  his  sovereign  ;  if  in  the 
other,  he  must  receive  an  assurance  in  advance  that 
he  would  be  treated  as  became  his  position. 

Tom  Moore,  then  twenty-four  years  old^  had  as  yet 
published  nothing  which  had  crossed  the  Atlantic  but 
"  gentle  Little's  moral  song,"  and  Mr.  Jefferson  had 
no  idea  that  he  stood  in  the  presence  of  the  young 
Catullus  of  his  day.  Standing  in  his  height  of  six 
feet  two  and  a  half  inches,  the  President  looked 
down  on  the  perfumed  little  Adonis,  spoke  a  -word  to 
him  and  s^ave  him  no  further  attention.  Moore,  after 
this  unflattering  reception,  fell  to  lampooning  the 
President  and  almost  everything  American.  Some  of 
his  scurrilous  attacks  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bur- 
well,  formerly  the  President's  private  secretary,  wdio 
carried  them  to  Mrs.  Randolph.  The  gentle  Martha 
was  roused  by  such  insults  from  a  man  who  had  been 
introduced  into  society  and  patronized  by  the  British 
minister.  They  were  indignant,  and  agreed  that  it 
was  proper  to  place  the  matter  before  the  President. 
This  was  done  at  Monticello,  while  Jefferson  was  read- 
ing in  his  library.  He  glanced  through  the  obnox- 
ious passages  pointed  out,  looked  at  his  daughter 
and  his  friend  and  burst  into  a  clear,  hearty  laugh, 
in  which  they  joined  after  a  moment  of  reflection. 


clay's    KISIXG    fame TRUE    COURTESY.  69 

When  Moore's  Irish  melodies  appeared  years  after- 
wards, and  the  book  was  put  into  Jefferson's  hands, 
"  Why  this,"  he  said,  "  is  the  little  man  who  satirized 
me  so ! "  He  read  on :  he  had  always  sympathized 
with  the  Irish  patriots :  and  presently  exclaimed : 
"Why, he  is  a  poet,  after  alll"  Henceforth  the  bard 
of  Erin  shared  with  Burns  the  hours  of  the  retired 
statesman. 

The  President  was  sixty- two  when  his  second  in- 
auguration took  place,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1805. 
That  autumn  was  made  a  memorable  epoch  in  Amer- 
ican history  by  the  treasonable  projects  of  Aaron 
Burr.  One  of  Burr's  counsel  was  Henry  Clay, 
chosen  United  States  Senator  in  November,  to  fill 
the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  Adair. 
His  talents,  address  and  popularity  were  even  then 
acknowledged,  and  the  star  of  his  professional  and 
political  greatness  had  begun  to  beam  splendidly  on 
the  western  horizon.  Another  of  Burr's  friends  was 
Luther  Martin  of  Maryland,  described  as  an  able,  but 
coarse  man,  with  violent  and  unrestrained  passions. 

One  day  the  President  and  his  eldest  grandson 
were  driving  in  a  carriage.  A  sti^anger  slave  in  the 
road  took  off  his  hat  and  bowed  to  them ;  Jefferson 
according  to  his  invariable  custom,  touched  his  hat 
and  bowed.  The  grandson  made  no  return  to  the  sal- 
utation; and  Jefferson  turning  to  him  said,  "Thomas, 
do  you  permit  a  slave  to  be  more  of  a  gentleman  than 
yourself?" 

About  1807,  while  on  a  visit  at  his  home,  the  Presi- 
dent accompanied  two  of  his  nephews  on  horseback 
to  Charlottesville.     He  invited  two  or  three  gentle- 


70  Jefferson's  administeation. 

men  of  that  place  to  dine  at  Monticello,  and  returned 
homeward,  Mr.  Jefferson  and  the  young  men  a  little 
in  advance.  A  shower  had  fallen,  and  when  they 
came  to  Moore's  Creek,  the  water  w\as  up  to  the 
saddle-girths.  A  Western  countryman  was  sitting  on 
the  bank  with  a  saddle  in  his  hands.  lie  waited  till 
all  the  party  had  entered  the  stream  but  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son, and  then  asked  him  for  a  ride  across.  The  Presi- 
dent reined  up  to  a  stone,  bade  him  mount,  and  car- 
ried him  to  the  opposite  bank.  The  party  in  the 
rear,  in  a  few  moments  overtaking  the  pedestrian 
going  on  at  a  sturdy  pace,  asked  him  why  he  let  the 
young  men  pass  and  asked  the  elder  gentleman  to 
carry  him  over.  "Wall,"  replied  the  Kentucky  man, 
'•  if  you  want  to  know,  I'll  tell  you.  I  reckon  a  man 
carries  yes  or  no  in  his  face.  The  young  chaps'  faces 
said  no ;  the  old  'un's  said  yes." 

^•It  isn't  every  man  that  would  have  asked  the 
President  of  the  United  States  for  a  ride  behind  him," 
observed  the  other.  "  You  don't  say  that  was  Tom 
Jefferson,  do  j'ou!"    cried  the  Kentuckian,  adding, 

'^He's  a  fine  eld  fellow  any  way."     Then  he 

burst  into  a  loud  laugh,  and  said  :  "  What  do  you  sup- 
pose my  wife  Polly  will  say  when  I  get  back  to  Boone 
County,  and  tell  her  Pve  rid  behind  Jefferson  ?  She'll 
say  I  voted  for  the  right  man !" 

One  day  the  President,  riding  along  the  bank  of 
tlie  Rivanne,  saw  a  ragged  old  man  waiting  at  a  ford 
opposite.  He  rode  across,  took  him  up  behind  and 
brought  him  over.  On  another  occasion,  riding  to- 
wards Washington,  he  overtook  a  working  man  of 
respcctn]>le  appearance,  on  foot.     To  draw  up  and  sa- 


TALKING    WITH    STRANG ERS.  71 

lute  liim  was  an  habitual  civility.  A  conversation  on 
political  topics  ensued,  and  the  man  strongly  censured 
certain  acts  of  the  administration.  Finally  he  alluded 
to  some  of  the  gross  personal  stories  of  Callender 
against  the  President.  "  Do  you  know  Mr.  Jefferson 
personally?"  asked  the  equestrian.  ^^ No,  nor  don't 
want  to,"  replied  the  other.  "  But  is  it  fair  play  to 
repeat  such  stories,  and  then  not  dare  to  meet  the 
subject  of  them  face  to  face?" 

The  man  was  a  Kentuckian — a  country  merchant, 
and  at  the  word  "  dare  "  he  promptly  responded  ;  "  I 
will  never  shrink  from  meeting  Mr.  Jefferson  if  he 
comes  in  my  way." 

"  Will  you  go  to  his  house  to-morrow,  and  be  intro- 
duced to  him,  if  I  will  meet  you  there!"  '^I  will," 
was  the  reply  :  and  the  President  rode  on.  Next  day 
the  stranger  sent  in  his  card  at  the  palace.  When  he 
saw  the  President,  he  said  "  I  have  called,  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son, to  apologize  for  having  said  to  a  stranger " 

Here  the  President  laughingly  interrupted  him  with — 
"hard  things  of  an  imaginary  personage,  who  is  no 
relation  of  mine  ! "  All  attempts  at  explanation  were 
laughingly  parried,  and  animated  conversation  on  an- 
other subject  was  introduced.  When  the  servant  an- 
nounced dinner,  the  President  insisted  on  his  staying. 
Afterwards  this  Kentuckian  used  to  caution  his  young 
people  not  to  be  too  free  in  talking  with  strangers, 
while  he  and  his  family  were  fiery  Jeffersonians. 

Josiah  Quincy  wrote  in  Washington  :  ''  My  wife  was 
the  ornament  and  attraction  of  my  establishment. 
She  was  admired  for  her  manners  and  mind,  was  most 
kindly  received  by  Mrs.  Madison  at  the  palace,  and 


72  JEFFERSON  S    ADMINISTRATION. 

enjoyed  the  society  and  friendship  of  a  select  circle — ■ 
among  whom  were  the  families  of  Peter,  Lee,  Teacle, 
Smith,  Tayloe,  Cranch,  &c."  Mr.  Quincy  descrihed 
the  city  as  exceedingly  dull  and  "distracted  with 
every  species  of  personality  and  violence."  A  senator 
told  Mr.  Goodrich  that  at  this  time  all  the  harbers  in 
AYashington  were  federalists,  because  the  leaders  of 
that  party  in  Congress  wore  powder  and  long  queues, 
which  were  dressed,  of  course,  every  day.  The  dem- 
ocrats wore  short  hair,  or  small  queues,  tied  up  care- 
lessly with  a  ribbon.  One  day  a  barber  who  was 
shaving  the  senator,  suddenly  burst  out  against  the 
nomination  of  Madison  by  the  democratic  party. 
"  What  Presidents  we  might  have,  sir !  Look  at  Dag- 
gett, of  Connecticut,  and  Stockton,  of  New  Jersey, 
with  queues  as  big  as  your  wrist,  and  powdered  everj' 
day,  like  real  gentlemen  as  they  are !  But  this  little 
Jim  Madison,  with  a  queue  no  bigger  than  a  pipe- 
stem  !  Sir,  it  is  enough  to  make  a  man  foreswear  his 
country ! " 

The  Presidential  election  of  1808  was  conducted 
with  extreme  heat,  particularly  in  the  Eastern  States. 
Jefferson  and  Madison  were  friends.  The  latter  was 
in  the  full  meridian  of  manhood  at  fifty-eight ;  Jeffer- 
son at  sixtj'-six  had  not  passed  the  mellow  autumn 
of  old  age.  His  visitors  at  Monticello  were  numerous 
and  often  intrusive.  Strangers  would  plant  them- 
selves in  the  passage  between  his  study  and  dining- 
room,  waiting  for  him  to  pass  to  his  dinner.  A  woman 
once  broke  a  window-pane  of  the  house  with  her  para- 
sol, to  get  a  better  view  of  him.  When  sitting  in  the 
shade  of  his  porticoes,  to  enjoy  the  cool  evening  air, 


THE    QUAKREL    AT    THE    FERRY.  73 

parties  of  men  and  women  would  approach  within  a 
dozen  yards.  In  1810,  the  house  servants,  inchiding 
children,  w^ere  thirty-seven.  The  general  mode  of 
traveling  at  that  time  in  Virginia  was  on  horseback, 
or  by  carriages  drawn  by  at  least  two  horses ;  and 
servants  generally  accompanied  travelers.  Mrs.  Ean- 
dolph,  who  presided  over  the  domestic  establishment 
at  Monticello,  once  said  she  had  been  called  on  to 
provide  beds  over  night  for  fifty  guests. 

Martha  Jeflferson  used  to  relate  how  once,  when 
traveling  with  her  father,  they  came  to  a  ferry,  and 
found  the  two  boatmen  engaged  in  a  violent  quarrel. 
They  took  the  travelers  on  board,  and  rowed  silently 
to  the  middle  of  the  stream;  when  the  contention 
broke  out  afresh.  The  boat  drifted  swiftly  towards 
some  dangerous  rapids.  Mr.  Jefferson  spoke  to  them 
calmly ;  then  sternly ;  then  he  suddenly  started  up 
with  '^  a  face  like  a  lion,"  and,  with  a  hand  on  each 
A  the  boatmen,  bade  them  in  tones  of  thunder,  row 
for  their  lives,  or  he  would  pitch  them  into  the  stream. 
They  did  pull  for  their  lives,  till  they  reached  the 
shore. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Jefferson  expired  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1826,  the  first  semi-centennial  anni- 
versary. Hundreds  of  miles  away,  John  Adams'  last 
sands  too  were  running;  out. 

The  interesting  case  of  Virginia  Murray  has  never 
been  mentioned  in  history.  Her  father.  Lord  Dun- 
more,  w\as  colonial  governor  of  Virginia.  Her  letter 
to  President  Jefferson,  tells  the  story : 

"Sir, — I  am  at  a  loss  how  to  begin  a  le'ter  in  the  which  I  am 
desirous  of  stating  claims  that  may  long  have  been  forgotten,  but  which 


74  Jefferson's  administratiox. 

I  think  no  time  can  really  annihilate,  until  fulfilment  has  followed  the 
promise.  I  imagine  that  you  must  have  heard  that  during  my  father's, 
the  late  Lord  Dunraore's,  residence  in  America,  I  was  born,  and  that  the 
Assembly,  then  sitting  at  Williamsburg,  requested  I  might  be  their  god- 
daughter, and  christened  by  the  name  of  A^irginia  ;  which  request  being 
complied  with,  they  purposed  providing  for  me  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the 
honor  they  conferred  upon  me,  and  to  the  responsibility  they  had  taken 
on  themselves.  I  was  accordingly  christened  as  the  god-daughter  of  that 
Assembly,  and  named  after  the  State.  Events  have  since  occurred 
which  in  some  measure  may  have  altered  the  intentions  then  expressed 
in  my  favor.  These  were  (so  I  have  understood)  that  a  sum  of  money 
should  be  settled  upon  me,  which,  by  accumulating  during  my  minority, 
would  make  up  tlie  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  pounds  when  I  became 
of  age.  It  is  true  many  changes  may  have  taken  place  in  America, 
but  thai  fact  still  remains  the  same.  I  am  still  the  god-daughter  of 
the  Virginians.  By  being  that,  may  I  not  flatter  myself  I  have  some 
claims  upon  their  benevolence,  if  not  upon  their  justice  ?  May  I  not 
a.sk  the  gentlemen  of  that  State,  especially  you,  Sir,  their  Governor,  to 
fulfil  in  some  respects  the  engagements  entered  into  by  their  predeces- 
sors? Your  fathers  promised  mine  that  I  should  become  their  charge. 
I  am  totally  unprovided  for ;  for  my  flither  died  without  making  a  will. 
My  brothers  are  married,  having  families  of  their  own ;  and  not  being 
bound  to  do  anything  for  me,  they  regard  with  indiflference  my  unpro- 
tected and  neglected  situation.  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to  mention  this 
circumstance  as  a  proper  inducement  for  you  to  act  upon ;  nor  would  I, 
were  it  not  my  excu.se  for  wishing  to  remind  you  of  the  claims  I  now 
advance.  I  hope  you  will  feel  my  right  to  your  favor  and  protection 
to  be  founded  on  the  promises  made  by  your  own  fathers,  and  in  the 
situation  in  which  I  stand  with  regard  to  the  State  of  Virginia.  You 
will  ask,  Sir,  why  my  appeal  to  your  generosity  and  justice  has  been  so 
tardy  ?  While  my  fatlier  lived,  I  lived  under  his  protection  and  guid- 
ance, lie  had  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  Virginians,  and  he  feared 
an  application  for  me  then  would  have  seemed  like  one  from  him. 
At  his  decease  I  become  a  free  agent.  I  had  taken  no  part  which 
could  displea.se  my  god-fathers;  and  my.self  remained  what  the  As- 
sembly liad  marie  me — their  god-daughter,  consequently  their  charge. 
I  wish  particularly  to  enforce  my  dependence  upon  your  bounty ;  for  I 
feel  hopes  revive  which  owe  their  birth  to  your  honor  and  generosity. 


YIRGIXIA'S    GOD-DAUGIlTEPw.  75 

and  to  tliat  of  tho  State  whose  representative  I  now  address.  Now  that 
my  father  is  no  more,  I  am  certain  they  and  you  will  remember  what 
merited  your  esteem  in  his  character  and  conduct,  and  forget  that  which 
estranged  your  hearts  from  so  honorable  a  man.  But  should  you  not, 
you  are  too  just  to  visit  what  3^ou  may  deem  the  sins  of  the  father  upon 
his  luckless  daughter.     I  am,  Sir,  your  obt.,  etc., 

"  Virginia  Murray, 
"  Trafalgar  Place,  Opposite  Cumberland  Gate,  Oxford  Road,  London." 

This  letter  was.  forwarded  to  Mr.  Monroe,  then 
Governor  of  Yirgmia.  Mr.  Monroe  submitted  the 
touching  appeal  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State ;  but 
it  does  not  appear  that  any  action  resulted,  or  that 
the  pledge  of  the  Colonial  Assembly  was  regarded  as 
binding. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  characters  in  x^merican 
history  and  society  was  John  Eandolph  of  Eoanoke. 
It  is  probable  that  his  peculiarities  gave  a  degree  of 
extraneous  and  scenic  effect  to  his  speeches.  "His 
pride,  his  isolation,  his  rich  appointments,  his  claim.s 
to  a  baronial  family  consequence,  his  aristocratic  as- 
sumption of  superiority,  his  capricious  and  dangerous 
temper,  all  set  him  apart,  and  made  him  a  popular 
marvel.  There  was  something  in  his  general  aspect 
which  reminded  one  of  his  lineage  from  the  royal 
Powhattan.  His  eye  was  piercingly  brilliant.  His 
invective  was  tremendous ;  it  scorched  and  consumed 
its  victim  like  fiery  rain.  It  was  when  passion 
mounted  to  its  zenith  that  his  intellect  threw  out  its 
finest  coruscations  like  meteoric  showers.  His  gaunt 
frame,  his  cadaverous  countenance,  a  voice  shrill  yet 
strangely  sweet  at  times,  an  eye  that  seemed  gifted 
with  power  to  read  the  secrets  of  the  heart — were 
accesories  to  his  forcible  oratory.      He   pointed  his 


7G  Jefferson's  administration. 

sarcasm  by  extending  his  long,  thin  elfish  forefinger 
towards  the  ofiender,  keeping  it  quivering  till  the 
climax  of  his  scorn  was  reached,  when  it  rested  im- 
movably, as  if  at  that  moment  the  death  shot  flashed 
from  it  to  the  victim's  heart." 

Randolph  was  once  opposing  a  motion  for  an  ap- 
propriation for  the  public  buildings.  He  rose,  and  in 
his  shrill,  clear  voice,  moved  to  refer  the  subject  to 
the  committee  on  iinfirdshed  business.  A  workman  in 
the  gallery,  irritated  at  the  opposition  to  what  was 
to  constitute  his  support,  cried  out  in  a  voice  some- 
thing like  Mr.  Randolph's :  "  And  I  move,  Mr.  Speaker, 
that  the  o-entleman  be  referred  to  the  same  commit- 
tee."  This  retort  upon  the  ill-formed  orator  set  the 
whole  house  in  a  roar.  The  sergeant-at-arms  w^as 
despatched  to  arrest  the  offender ;  but  he  had  disap- 
peared. 

An  Irishman  just  arrived  in  the  country  was  anxious 
to  become  acquainted  with  the  eccentric  orator  of 
lioanokc.  He  undertook  to  introduce  himself,  and 
approached  him  with — "  Have  I  the  honor  of  address- 
ing the  distinguished  American  orator,  Mr.  Randolph?" 
''  That  is  an  honor  I  allow  onlv  to  those  with  whom 
I  am  acquainted,"  replied  Randolph,  in  his  sarcastic 
tone.  After  some  conversation,  he  asked  the  Irish- 
man how  long  he  had  been  in  the  country.  He  re- 
plied :  '•!  have  been  but  a  short  time  in  the  country; 
have  had  the  honor  to  be  introduced  to  General  W., 
Colonel  I).,  ^Major  C.  and  numerous  other  officers. 
Your  revolutionary  war,  Mr.  Randolph,  must  have 
been  very  unfortunate  ;  indeed,  I  may  say,  disas- 
trous, for  it  seems  to  have  cut  off  all  the  privates, 


AXECDOTE    OF    RANDOLPH.  77 

and  left  nothing  but  officers  behind."  Randolph  was 
so  much  pleased  with  his  remarks  that  he  invited 
him  to  call  and  see  him  at  his  lodsrimys. 

Randolph's  first  and  only  love  was  unfortunate. 
The  lady  was  Miss  Ward^  of  Wintapeke.  For  thirty 
years  the  statesman  worshiped  the  idol  of  his  youth^ 
and  no  other  image  was  ever  enshrined  in  his  heart. 
He  had  a  great  abhorrence  of  debt.  On  one  occasion, 
in  Congress,  he  suddenly  interrupted  himself  in  a 
speech  on  some  other  subject,  and  exclaimed:  "Mr. 
Speaker,  I  have  discovered  the  philosopher's  stone ! 
It  is  this,  Sir :  Pay  as  you  go  !  Pay  as  you  go  !"  In 
a  letter  he  says  :  "  The  muck-worm  whose  mind  knows 
no  other  work  than  money-keeping  or  money-getting, 
is  an  object  of  pity  and  contempt.  I  hold  it  essen- 
tial to  purity,  dignity  and  pride  of  character  that 
every  man's  expenses  should  bear  a  due  relation 
to  his  means  and  prospects  in  life."  One  day,  while 
he  w\as  speaking,  the  Speaker  began  privately  to 
write  a  letter.  Randolph  perceived  it,  and  stopped 
short  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence.  The  Speaker, 
presently  aroused  by  the  stillness,  inquired  whether 
the  honorable  gentleman  from  Virginia  had  finished 
his  speech.  "  Mr.  Speaker,"  returned  Randolph,  in 
his  high  falsetto  voice,  and  pointing  his  long  fore- 
finger, "I  was  waiting  until  you  had  finished  that 
letter." 

His  last  speech  in  the  Senate,  and  the  master  effort 
of  his  life,  was  in  reply  to  Rufus  King  on  the  Missouri 
question.  He  referred  to  the  new  member  as  "  the 
member  from  Maryland  :"  and  then  pausing,  as  if  not 
certain,  added,  "  I  believe  he  is  from  Maryland."    This 


78  Jefferson's  administeatiox. 

implied  doiibt  amused  Mr.  Pinknej,  who  went  over 
to  Mr.  Eandolpli's  seat,  introduced  himself,  and  as- 
sured him  that  he  teas  ^^'from  Maryland."  They 
became  close  friends  afterwards ;  and  Handolph  in 
announcing  his  death,  called  him  "the  boast  of  Mary- 
land, and  the  pride  of  the  United  States." 

His  device  to  put  down  Barnabas  Bidwell,  a  Mas- 
sachusetts lawyer  and  an  active  democratic  politician, 
was  curious.  Randolph  at  Bidwell's  maiden  speech, 
w\as  dressed  in  his  usual  morning  costume, — his  skel- 
eton lesrs  cased  in  tio^ht-fittino;  leather  breeches  and 
top  boots,  with  a  blue  riding  coat,  the  thick  buckskin 
gloves  from  which  he  was  never  parted,  and  a  heavily 
loaded  riding  wdiip  in  his  hand.  After  listening 
attentively  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  he  rose 
deliberately,  settled  his  hat  on  his  head,  and  walked 
slowly  out  of  the  House,  striking  the  handle  of  his 
whip  emphatically  upon  the  palm  of  his  left  hand, 
and  regarding  poor  Bidwell  as  he  passed  him  with  a 
look  of  insolent  contempt. 

On  one  occasion,  John  Randolph  resorted  to  a 
curious  and  novel  stratagem  to  gain  the  attention  of 
the  House.  After  midnight,  when  most  of  the  mem- 
bore  had  composed  themselves  to  sleep  as  they  best 
might,  Randolph  began  to  utter  a  disconnected  far- 
rago of  long  words,  apropos  to  nothing  in  the  universe. 
Gradually  the  whole  House  awoke,  and  looked  with 
wondering  eyes  upon  the  orator,  supposing  him  mad. 
His  purpose  thus  answered,  he  turned  suddenly  on 
an  honest  Dutch  member  from  New  York,  who  never 
ventured  anything  more  than  a  zealous  yea  or  nay ; 
pointed  his  slow,  unmoving  finger  at  him,  and  cried 


ANECDOTE    OF    rwAXDOLPII.  79 

ill  liis  shrill,  deliberate  tones  :  '-'And  now,  Mr.  Speaker, 
the  honorable  gentleman  from  Xew  York  denies  the 
truth  of  Avhat  I  have  been  saying ! "  '*  Good  gracious ! " 
sputtered  forth  the  mystified  Dutchman;  ''Mr. Speaker, 
I  have  done  nothing  of  the  kind!"  The  House,  now 
thoroughly  aroused,  shook  with  inextinguishable 
laughter. 

Love  of  opposition  and  change  was  a  disease  of 
his  organization.  He  followed  Jefferson  devotedly 
for  years,  and  then  broke  off  on  a  trifling  provoca- 
tion. He  loved  Mr.  Madison,  and  soon  fiercely  hated 
and  denounced  him.  He  was  enthusiastic  in  his 
admiration  of  Monroe,  and  afterwards  poured  out 
contemptuous  epithets  upon  him.  Pie  was  one  of 
the  earliest  supporters  of  Gen.  Jackson,  and  one  of 
the  first  to  abandon  him.  He  insulted  Mr.  Clay  in 
the  Senate,  fought  with  him ;  and  then  rushed  in  a 
dying  state  across  the  country  as  fast  as  his  horses 
could  be  driven,  to  be  reconciled  to  him.  He  cluno: 
to  Macon,  Tazewell,  and  a  little  knot  of  friends 
through  all;  but  had  one  of  them  been  elected 
President,  Randolph  would  probably  have  denounced 
him  within  six  months  of  his  inauguration.  Jeffer- 
son was  his  first  and  lon^rest  official  love. 


IV. 

MADISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Condition  of  the  City  of  Washington — Heterogeneous  Elements  of 
Society — Mrs.  Madison's  iDfluence — Accession  to  the  Presidency — 
Beauty  and  Fashion  at  the  Dra?\'ing-rooms — The  Office  Seeker  sat- 
isfied with  old  Clothes — First  A^isit  of  AVilliam  C.  Preston  to  the 
White  House — A  Bashful  Boy — The  Grace  and  Beauty  of  the  Host- 
ess— Her  maternal  Claim  to  the  Lad — His  Introduction  to  the 
Belles — Miss  Mayo  (afterwards  Mrs.  Scott)  and  Miss  Coles — The 
Cavalier  made  useful — Domestic  Habits  of  the  Rulers — The  raw 
Youth  at  the  Reception — Remarkable  Statesmen  of  the  Time  — 
The  War  with  Great  Britain — Details  of  Dr.  Beans'  Adventure — 
Francis  Key  to  the  Rescue — "  The  Star-Spangled  Banner  "—The 
News  of  Peace — Brilliant  Party  and  queenly  Beauty  of  the  Hostess 
■ — Court  Etiquette  towards  Foreigners. 

Mr.  Madison,  being  appointed  Secretary  of  State, 
removed  to  Washington  with  his  family  in  April, 
1801.  The  metropolis  was  then  almost  a  wilderness. 
The  President's  house  stood  unenclosed  on  a  piece  of 
waste,  barren  ground,  separated  from  the  Capitol  by 
a  marsh.  The  incomj^lete  building  stood  amid  rough 
masses  of  stone  and  other  materials,  and  was  half 
hidden  by  venerable  oaks.  Thick  groves  of  forest 
trees,  with  wide  plains,  and  here  and  there  a  house, 
were  to  be  seen  on  every  side.  The  proprietors  of 
the  grounds  retained  their  rural  residences  and  habits 
of  living  ;  while  the  new-comers  brought  the  manners 
and  customs  of  their  respective  states :  Mr.  Madison 


IXFLUEXCE    OF    MRS.   MADISO^^  81 

those  of  Virginia,  Mr.  Gallatin  of  Pennsylvania,  Gen. 
Dearborn  of  Massachusetts  and  Robert  Smith  of  Mary- 
land. Never  were  more  heterogeneous  elements  for 
society  brought  together.  There  were  no  established 
fashions  ;  no  sympathy  of  tastes  and  habits ;  no  bond 
of  union  growing  out  of  previous  acquaintance.  The 
motley  company  was  thrown  into  intimate  relations, 
while  each  felt  strange  and  uncomfortable,  and  the 
necessity  of  mutual  aid  taught  them  to  feel  for  each 
other.  On  account  of  the  absence  of  Jefferson's  daugh- 
ters, Mrs.  Madison  always  presided  in  the  President's 
house  when  ladies  were  among  the  visitors,  and  a 
liberal  hospitality  was  exercised.  Next  to  the  Presi- 
dent's, the  house  of  the  Secretary  of  State  received 
most  company.  The  •charming  hostess  was  so  frank 
and  cordial  in  her  manners,  that  her  frequent  parties 
were  thoroughly  enjoyed.  Not  only  the  governmental 
officers,  the  Senators,  Representatives  and  citizens, 
but  the  foreign  ministers  and  strangers  from  every 
part  of  the  world,  came  to  her  receptions,  and  mingled 
with  a  cordiality,  freedom  and  gayety  rarely  to  be 
found  in  social  assemblages.  No  bitter  political  ani- 
mosities could  show  themselves  in  the  atmosphere  of 
this  genial  home.  Even  persons  hostile  to  each  other, 
who  avoided  a  meeting  elsewhere,  would  come  to  Mrs. 
Madison's  house  forgetful  of  their  causes  of  disagree- 
ment, subdued  by  her  gracious  urbanity  and  spirit 
of  conciliation  to  moderation  and  forbearance.  The 
dinners  were  always  abundant  and  sumptuous,  more, 
however,  in  the  Virginian  style  than  in  the  European. 
For  cidit  vears  this  gentle  influence  exercised  its 
swa\',  and    the    civilities    received    and    reciprocated 


82  MADISON'S    ADMINISTRATIOIS'. 

were  productive  of  excellent  effect.  The  regulation 
of  social  intercourse  devolved  upon  Mrs.  Madison  in 
her  double  hostess-ship ;  yet  it  does  not  appear  that 
misconstruction  or  envy  ever  assailed  her.  She  won 
the  admiration  and  approbation  of  all.  Though  she 
saw  a  continued  round  of  company,  her  dress  was 
simple  and  her  house  was  plainly  furnished.  She 
economized  in  these  matters,  while  her  hospitality 
and  charity  were  bounteously  liberal. 

The  canvassing  for  a  President  to  succeed  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson, roused  the  spirit  of  competition  and  party 
prejudice.  Political  intrigues  infused  their  bitterness 
into  the  intercourse  of  society,  and  as  the  partisans 
of  the  several  candidates  did  not  scruple  to  employ 
calumnies,  attacks  were  made  on  Mr.  Madison,  and  his 
lovely  wife.  The  lady  met  these  assaults  with  a  mild 
serenity  which  went  far  to  disarm  turbulent  injustice. 

At  the  ball  given  to  celebrate  the  inauguration  of 
Mr.  Madison,  Jefferson  received  him  and  Mrs.  Madison, 
who  "looked  and  moved  a  queen."  She  wore  buff- 
colored  velvet,  with  pearl  ornaments,  and  a  Paris 
turban  with  bird-of-paradise  plume.  The  manager 
brought  her  the  first  number  in  the  dance,  which  she 
declined,  as  she  never  danced ;  and  it  was  presented 
to  her  sister.  It  was  the  wish  of  Mr.  Madison  that  the 
civilities  of  his  house  should  be  extended  even  to  his 
rancorous  opponents,  and  he  looked  for  the  cessation 
of  hostilities  when  the  popular  excitement  should 
subside.  The  chiefs  of  the  different  parties  con- 
tinued to  receive  the  frank  and  graceful  attentions 
of  Mrs.  Madison,  in  the  circles  where  she  presided. 
Thus  kindly  feelings  were  cultivated,  even  with  the 


NEW    SOCIAL    PROSPECTS.  83 

leaders  of  opposition,  till  a  popularity  was  won  which 
the  statesman's  cold  manners  and  lofty  reserve  might 
have  failed  to  gain.  The  eight  years'  residence  of 
this  illustrious  pair  in  Washington,  had  made  them 
troops  of  friends  who  rejoiced  when  the  day  arrived 
for  Mr.  Madison's  inauguration.  The  oath  was  admin- 
istered hy  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  March  4,  1809. 
Madison  wore  a  plain  suit  of  black.  Every  face 
beamed  with  smiles  of  gratulation,  and  every  hand 
was  stretched  out  in  cordial  greeting.  Ex-President 
Jefferson  sat  on  the  right  hand  of  the  new  Chief 
Magistrate.  The  removal  of  the  Madisons  to  the 
President's  house  gave  general  satisfaction  in  societ}^ ; 
for  it  was  foreseen  that  the  mansion  would  be  the 
center  of  a  gay  and  brilliant  circle.  Dinner  parties 
were  given  every  week;  and  a  drawing-room  was 
opened, — where  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the  capital 
found  a  scene  appropriate  for  display.  The  strict  cer- 
emonials and  formal  etiquette  of  Mrs.  Washington's 
court  were  banished,  as  interfering  with  social  enjoj^- 
ment.  No  requisitions  were  made  bej^ond  those  pre- 
vailing in  private  drawing-rooms,  and  the  dignity  of 
high  station  never  imposed  dullness.  To  Mrs.  Madison 
all  justly  attributed  these  agreeable  regulations. 

The  mother  of  James  Madison,  Eleanor  Conway,  in 
her  day  added  largely  to  the  attractions  of  social  life. 
Mr.  Madison  was  kind,  gentle  and  conciliating.  He  was 
annoyed,  like  all  his  successors,  by  applications  for 
office.  An  illiterate  man  from  the  flxr  West  applied  for 
the  governorship  of  one  of  the  Territories.  The  Presi- 
dent could  not  oblige  him.  He  next,  though  he  could 
scarcely  read,  asked  for  a  judgeship,  and  renewed  his 


84  Madison's  admixi  strati  ox. 

application  for  every  vacancy,  finally  saying:  '-Since 
your   excellency  cannot  grant  me  an  office,  I   shall 

esteem  it  a  favor  if  you  -would  just  give  me  a a 

pair  of  your  old  breeches."    Mr.  Madison  immediately 
gave  him  an  order  on  a  tailor  for  a  suit  of  clothes. 

William  C.  Preston,  in  his  unpublished  journal, 
gave  an  account  of  his  first  visit  to  President  Madi- 
son in  Washington.  He  was  about  eighteen  years  old. 
When  he  went  to  call  at  the  White  House,  he  was 
painfully  shy  and  awkward. 

"  I  and  my  conductor  proceeded  in  the  hack  in  utter  silence.  The 
appearance  of  the  house  and  grounds  T7as  very  gi'and.  There  \vas  a 
multitude  of  carriages  at  the  door ;  many  persons  were  going  in  and 
coming  out ;  especially  many  in  gaudy  regimentals.  Upon  entering  a 
room  where  there  were  fifteen  or  twenty  persons,  Mr.  Madison  turned 
toward  us,  and  the  General  said,  presenting  me,  '  My  young  kinsman, 
Mr.  Preston,  who  has  come  to  present  his  respects  to  you  and  Mrs. 
Madison.'  The  President  was  a  little  man  with  a  powdered  head, 
having  an  abstracted  air  and  a  pale  countenance,  with  hut  little  flow  of 
courtesy.  Around  the  room  was  a  blaze  of  military  men  and  naval 
officers  in  brilliant  uniforms.  The  furniture  of  the  room,  with  the 
brilliant  mirrors,  was  very  magnificent.  "While  we  stood,  Mrs.  Madi- 
son entered — a  tall,  portly,  elegant  lady,  with  a  turban  on  her  head 
and  a  book  in  her  hand.  She  advanced  straight  to  me,  and,  extending 
her  left  hand,  said :  '  Are  you  William  Campbell  Preston,  the  son  of 
my  old  friend  and  most  beloved  kinswoman,  Sally  Campbell?'  I 
assented.  She  said  :  '  Sit  down,  my  son  ;  for  you  are  my  son,  and  I 
am  the  first  person  who  ever  saw  you  in  this  world.  Mr.  Madison, 
this  is  the  son  of  Mrs.  Preston  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia.'  The 
President  shook  hands  with  me  cordially.  *  General  Wilkinson,'  said 
Mrs.  Madison,  addressing  a  gentleman  who  seemed  to  have  been  dipped 
in  Pactolus,  '  I  must  present  this  young  gentleman  to  our  distinguished 
men — Captain  Decatur,  Mr.  Cheves;  and  yet,  after  all,  you  would  as 
goon  1)0  presented  to  the  young  ladies,'  turning  to  three  who  entered  at 
this  moment,  '  Miss  Maria  Mayo,  IMiss  Worthington  and  your  kins- 
woman Miss  Sally  Coles.     Now,  young  ladies,  this  young  gentleman. 


ME.  PRESTON    AT    THE    WHITE    HOUSE.  85 

if  not  my  son,  is  my  protege,  and  I  commend  him  to  your  special  con- 
sideration. With  you,  he  shall  be  my  guest  at  the  White  House  as 
long  as  he  remains  in  the  city.  I  am  his  mother's  kinswoman,  and 
stand  towards  him  in  the  relation  of  a  parent.'  All  this  was  performed 
with  an  easy  grace  and  benignity  which  no  woman  in  the  world  could 
have  exceeded.  My  awkwardness  and  terror  suddenly  subsided  into  a 
romantic  admiration  for  the  magnificent  woman  before  me. 

"  Thus  suddenly  and  strangely  domesticated  in  the  President's  house, 
I  found  myself  translated  into  a  new  and  fairy  sort  of  existence.  Ed- 
ward Coles  was  private  secretary  to  the  President,  a  relation,  a  thorough 
gentleman,  and  one  of  the  best-natured  and  most  kindly-affectioned 
men  it  has  ever  been  my  good  fortune  to  know.  He  was  an  inmate  of 
the  house,  as  were  Miss  IMayo,  afterwards  jMrs.  General  Scott,  and  Miss 
Coles,  afterwards  Mrs.  Andrew  Stevenson.  These  ladies  were  ex- 
perienced belles,  used  to  reigning  over  a  multitude  of  willing  subjects. 
They  soon  turned  me  to  account ;  made  me  useful  as  an  attendant  • 
were  entertained  by  my  freshness — perhaps  amused  at  my  greenness. 
I  rode  with  them,  danced  with  them,  waited  on  them,  and  in  a  short 
time  they  created  or  developed  in  me  a  talent  for  thread  paper  verses, 
on  which  they  levied  contributions.  When  I  met  Mrs.  Scott  in  New 
York,  she  gracefully,  and  even  touchingly,  alluded  to  one  of  these  half- 
extempores,  which,  with  the  tact  that  made  her  so  admired,  she  had 
remembered  for  thirty  years." 

Thus  a]3pointed  cavalier  to  two  belles,  Mr.  Preston 
was  swept  into  a  current  of  fashionable  dissipation. 
The  countrj^  at  the  time  was  in  the  agony  of  the  war, 
and  Madison's  position  was  painful  and  difficult. 

"  His  labors  were  incessant;  his  countenance  was  pallid  and  hard  ; 
his  social  intercourse  was  entirely  committed  to  Mrs.  Madison,  and  was 
arranged  with  infinite  tact  and  elegance.  He  appeared  in  society  daily, 
with  an  unmoved  and  abstracted  air,  not  relaxing,  except  towards  the 
end  of  a  protracted  dinner,  with  confidential  friends.  Then  he  became 
anecdotal,  facetious,  a  little  broad  occasionally  in  his  discourse,  after 
the  manner  of  the  old  school.  His  most  confidential  companion  was  a 
Mr.  Cutts,  a  kinsman  of  his  wife,  whom  General  Jackson  afterwards  re- 
moved from  ofiice.  This  gentleman  habitually  recounted  to  the  Presi- 
dent, over  a  glass  of  wine,  the  news,  gossip  and  07i  difs  of  the  day.    IMr. 


8G  MADISON'S    ADMINISTFvATION. 

Madison  listened  witli  interest  to  his  details,  frequently  interpcsing 
questions  in  a  dry,  keen  way,  and,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  directing  his 
in(iuirics  more  to  personal  matters  than  to  things  of  real  importance, 
lie  sliowcd  more  interest  in  hearing  about  General  Marshall,  as  he 
called  the  Cliief  Justice,  than  in  regard  to  any  one  else,  frequently  ask- 
iiio-,  '  What  does  General  Marshall  say  about  such  and  such  matters  V 
IVr  the  diplomatic  corps  (I  forget  who  they  were)  he  habitually,  and 
Bomewliat  ostentatiously,  expressed  the  most  thorough  contempt.  Mrs. 
Madison  told  me  the  necessities  of  society  made  sad  inroads  upon  his 
time,  and  tlnit  she  was  wearied  of  it  to  exhaustion.  As  she  alway.s 
entered  the  drawing-room  with  a  volume  in  her  hand,  I  said  :  '  Still 
y.'ii  have  time  to  read.'  '  Oh  no,'  said  she,  '  not  a  word;  I  have  this 
b«M»k  in  my  hand — a  very  fine  copy  of  Don  Quixote — to  have  some- 
thing not  ungraceful  to  say,  and,  if  need  be,  to  supply  a  word  of  talk.' 
She  was  always  prompt  in  making  her  appearance  in  the  drawing-room, 
and  wlien  out  of  it  was  very  assiduous  with  household  offices.  She  told 
me  that  Mr.  Madison  slept  very  little,  going  to  bed  late  and  getting  up 
frequently  during  the  night  to  write  or  read;  for  which  purpose  a 
candle  was  always  kept  burning  in  the  chamber.  When  not  in  com- 
pany, he  habitually  addressed  Mrs.  Madison  by  the  familiar  epithet  of 
*  Dolly,'  under  the  influence  of  which  the  lady,  and  on  no  other  occa- 
.sion,  relaxed  the  deliberate  and  somewhat  stately  demeanor  which 
always  characterized  her.  I  was  a  gay  young  man,  favorably  received 
and  considered  in  consequence  of  being  in  the  White  House  and  a  pet 
of  Mrs.  Madison's,  she  being  universally  beloved  and^admired.  W'hcn  I 
knew  her  in  after  life,  widowed,  poor  and  without  the  prestige  of  station, 
I  found  her  the  same  good-natured,  kind-hearted,  considerate,  stately 
person  that  she  had  been  in  the  heyday  of  her  fortunes.  Many  of  her 
minor  haliits,  formed  in  early  life,  continued  upon  her  in  old  ago  and 
poverty.  Iler  manner  was  urbane,  gracious,  with  an  almost  impercep- 
tilile  touch  of  Quakerism.  She  continued  to  the  last  to  wear  around 
her  shoulders  a  magnificent  shawl  of  a  green  color.  She  always  wore  a 
lofty  turban,  and  took  snulT  from  a  snufl-box  of  lava  or  platina,  never 
from  gold.  Two  years  before  her  deatli,  I  was  in  a  whist  party  with 
hor,  when  !Mr.  Jdhn  Quiney  Adams  was  her  partner,  and  Lord  Ash- 
burton  mine.     K.ich  of  the  three  was  over  seventy  years  of  ago. 

*'  My  gay  residence  in  Washington,  wliieh  my  fatlicr  considered   a 
part  of  the  education  he  had  prescribed  for  mo,  gave  me  a  very  decided 


MRS.  MxVDiSOX'S    COUPcTESY.  87 

turn  for  gay  society.  However,  I  was  soon  thrown  into  a  comparatively 
solitary  way  of  life,  at  least  removed  from  tlio  fascinations  of  fashion 
and  dissipation.  Having  flashed  and  floated  along  this  bright  current 
for  four  or  five  weeks,  I  returned  to  my  remote  village  of  Aljingdon, 
Ya. ,  making  the  journey  of  four  hundred  miles  on  horseback ;  thus 
having  time,  during  the  solitary  ride  through  the  mountains,  to  recover 
from  the  gay  and  exciting  scenes  through  which  I  had  passed." 

At  dinner  Mrs.  Madison  always  took  the  head  of 
the  table ;  Mr.  Madison  the  middle,  and  one  of  his 
secretaries  the  bottom.  Her  memory  was  so  good 
that  she  never  forgot  a  name,  and  would  address  each 
of  her  guests,  though  just  introduced  with  twenty 
others,  as  if  she  had  known  them  for  years.  She 
was  a  maornificent  lookinej;  w^oman  in  the  drawing:- 
room.  Her  stately  and  Juno-like  figure  towered  above 
the  rest  of  the  ladies.  When  she  found  a  timid  j^oung 
girl,  she  would  attend  to  her  most  assiduously,  conduct 
her  to  the  piano,  and  remain  with  her  till  she  became 
more  at  her  ease.  At  one  of  her  recejDtions,  a  tall, 
dangling  youth,  fresh  from  the  backvv'oods,  made  his 
appearance,  and  took  his  stand  against  a  partition 
wall.  He  stood  in  that  position  like  a  fixture  for  half 
an  hour,  and  finally  ventured  to  take  a  cup  of  coffee, 
which  it  was  then  the  custom  to  hand  around.  Mrs. 
Madison's  keen  eye  had  noticed  his  embarrassment, 
and  she  wished  to  relieve  it.  vShe  walked  up  and  ad- 
dressed him.  The  poor  youth,  astounded,  dropped 
the  saucer  on  the  floor,  and  unconsciously  thrust  the 
cup  into  his  breeches  pocket.  ''  The  crowd  is  so 
great " — remarked  the  gentle  lady — '•  that  no  one  can 
avoid  being  jostled.  The  servant  will  bring  3-ou  an- 
other cup  of  coffee.  Pray,  how  did  yow  leave  your 
excellent  mother  ?     I  had  once  the  honor  of  knowimx 


88 

her,  but  I  have  not  seen  her  for  some  j'ears."  Thus 
she  continued,  till  the  poor  youth  felt  as  if  he  were 
in  the  company  of  an  old  acquaintance.  He  took 
care,  secretly  and  soon,  to  dislodge  the  protuberance 
in  his  pocket. 

Washington  Irving,  visiting  Washington,  was  pre- 
sented to  Mrs.  Madison  by  Mr.  Herman  Knickerbocker 
as  his  "  cousin-german — Mr.  Dietrich  Knickerbocker." 
Mr.  Robert  Walsh  had  introduced  him  to  Josiah 
Quincy  as  ^-a  young  gentleman  of  New  York." — 
Quincy  wrote  that  he  ^'left  Washington  with  the 
feelings  of  a  man  quitting  Tadmor  in  the  wilderness, 
where  creeping  things  had  possession." 

Mr.  Gaillard  w%as  a  senator  from  South  Carolina  and 
had  been  so  from  1804.  Urbane  in  his  manners, 
amiable,  patient  and  firm,  he  made  an  excellent  pre- 
siding officer  in  the  Senate.  He  was  of  a  Huguenot 
family.  Crawford  was  a  man  of  almost  gigantic  pro- 
portions, and,  though  not  graceful,  the  effect  of  his 
presence  was  imposing.  Napoleon  remarked  it  when 
he  was  ambassador  at  the  Imperial  court,  and  com- 
plimented the  Americans  present  on  the  grand  air  of 
their  representative.  Mr.  Lowndes  was  one  of  the 
galaxy  of  brilliant  young  men  sent  by  South  Carolina, 
with  Calhoun  and  Cheves,  to  the  House  of  Eepre- 
sentativcs  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  1812. 
When  he  rose  to  speak,  the  members,  quitting  their 
distant  seats,  would  gather  close  about  him,  with  the 
attention  of  affectionate  confidence.  Virtue,  modesty, 
benevolence,  patriotism  were  his,  with  a  sound  judg- 
ment, and  mild  persuasive  eloquence;  his  manners 
Avere  gentle,  cordial  and  eno:ai]:in<]:.     It  was  he  who 


PROMINENT    MEN.  89 

expressed  the  sentiment,  that  the  Presidency  ^Yas  «an 
office  neither  to  be  sought  nor  dechned.  He  died  at 
the  age  of  forty-two.  Wilham  Pinkney,  too,  fell  in 
the  plenitude  of  his  strength,  and  on  the  field  of  his 
fame,  under  the  double  labors  of  the  Supreme  Court 
and  the  Senate.  In  his  day  he  was  thought  the  first 
of  American  orators;  and  he  loved  the  admiration  of 
the  crowded  gallery.  His  forte  lay  in  his  logic  and 
power  of  argument ;  he  drew  on  imagination,  and 
laid  great  stress  on  action  and  delivery. 

The  Clay  of  1812, — in  the  flush  of  early  ambition, 
— was  gallant,  chivalrous;  the  boast  of  Kentucky, 
the  idolized  Speaker  of  the  House.  The  magic  of 
his  lofty  presence,  the  persuasive  power  of  his  mag- 
netic voice,  none  could  forget.  His  impassioned  ora- 
tory was  like  the  rush  of  a  whirlwind.  Yet  the  fervid 
Kentuckian  could  not  pretend  to  the  compact  style, 
the  clear  method,  or  the  massive  logic  of  Calhoun. 

Francis  Key — author  of  the  "Star  Spangled  Ban- 
ner,"— lived  in  Georgetown  in  1810.  Dr.  Beans  of 
Marlborough,  a  surgeon  in  the  United  States  army, 
was  attending  the  sick  soldiers  when  Commodore 
Barney's  flotilla  was  attacked.  The  British  array,  on 
their  march  to  Washington,  bivouacked  on  the  plan- 
tation of  Dr.  Beans,  who  though  detesting  them, 
treated  the  officers  with  true  Maryland  hospitality. 
A  few  days  after  their  departure,  while  he  was  at  din- 
ner with  some  friends,  a  slave  brought  the  news  that 
the  British  were  marching  back  to  their  boats.  Full 
of  glee,  Dr.  Beans'  party  went  to  a  spring  on  the  es- 
tate, with  lemons,  whiskey  &c.,  to  drink  to  the  confu- 
sion of  "  perfidious  Albion."       Three    tired    English 


90  MADISON'S    ADMIXISTPtATIOX. 

soldiers,  coming  for  Avater,  were  made  prisoners  by 
the  patriotic  American  gentlemen,  and  marched  off 
to  the  county  gaol.  The  men  were  missed  from  the 
ranks,  and  a  detachment  sent  in  search  of  them, 
traced  them  to  Marlborough,  where  the  terrified  in- 
habitants betrayed  who  were  their  captors.  The  men 
were  recovered ;  Dr.  Beans  w^as  seized  at  midnight, 
placed  in  his  night-dress  on  the  bare  back  of  a  mule, 
and  taken,  closely  guarded,  to  the  troops ;  thence  he 
was  sent  to  Admiral  Cockburn's  ship,  and  thrown  in- 
to rigorous  confinement.  The  wdiole  country  was 
aroused,  and  as  soon  as  steps  could  be  taken,  Francis 
Key,  the  intimate  friend  of  Dr.  Beans,  was  sent  by 
President  Madison  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  get  him  ex- 
changed. When  Key  reached  the  British  fleet  at 
North  Point,  they  were  about  to  attack  Baltimore ; 
and  though  he  was  courteously  received  and  invited 
to  dine  with  Cockburn,  he  was  informed  that  he  must 
remain  on  board  till  after  the  bombardment  of  the 
city.  He  shared  his  friend's  uncomfortable  quarters 
that  memorable  nii!:ht:  at  sunset  seeiniz:  the  "Star 
Spangled  Banner"  Avaving  proudly  from  the  ramparts 
of  Fort  McHenry.  When  the  day  dawned  after  that 
night  of  battle,  lit  at  intervals  by  the  lurid  flash  of 
exploding  bom])s,  and  made  fearful  by  the  thunders 
of  cannon,  the  mist  was  too  dense  to  discover  if  "the 
Flag,"  or  the  red-cross  of  St.  George  waved  from  the 
Fort,  in  the  direction  of  which  the  two  watched  throufdi 
the  port-hole,  trembling  with  suspense.  Presently 
there  was  a  ripple  in  the  water,  a  soft  sough  in  the 
fog;  nnd  like  magic  it  rolled  away,  revealing  the 
American  Hag  still  floating  defiantly  from    its  staff 


,    TFE  l^EW  YOKK     , 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  tENOX 
TILDE  NFO0NDA_ 


SoEoE.lLoJElLLET. 


TAKEN     IN    1850 


NEWS    OF   TEACE.  93 

above  the  ramparts  !  The  patriots  fell  on  each  other's 
breast,  M^eeping  for  joy.  Mr.  Key  then  drew  a  let- 
ter from  his  poeket,  and  on  its  back  pencilled  the  llrst 
stanzas  of  the  celebrated  national  song.  This  only 
authentic  account  of  the  incident  was  furnished  by 
the  grand-niece  of  Dr.  Beans,  the  distinguished  poet- 
ess, Mrs.  Dorsey  of  Washington. 

The  war,  spreading  desolation  along  our  coasts, 
brought  ruin  to  the  national  capital.  When  the 
British  forces  Avere  approaching  Washington,  the 
President  went  with  his  friends  to  join  General  Win- 
der and  hold  a  council  of  war.  The  heroism  dis- 
played by  Mrs.  Madison,  who  refused  to  leave  the 
city  till  she  could  see  her  husband  safe,  has  been 
often  recorded.  In  the  private  house  where  the 
President  lived  after  those  disastrous  events,  his  wife 
still  received  their  guests  with  hospitality,  and  made 
them  happy  as  before.  The  news  following  the  glori- 
ous defence  of  New  Orleans  by  General  Jackson,  of 
the  advent  of  peace,  was  borne  to  Washington  by  the 
slow  process  of  travel  by  horses  and  carriages  from 
New  York.  Late  in  the  afterno'on  of  the  14th  Feb- 
ruary, 1815,  came  thundering  down  Pennsylvania 
avenue  a  coach  and  four  foaming  steeds,  in  which  was 
Mr.  Henry  Carroll,  the  bearer  of  the  treaty  of  peace 
between  the  American  and  British  commissioners. 
The  carriasre  was  followed  bv  cheers  and  conmatula- 
tions  as  it  sped  towards  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State — James  Monroe — and  thence  to  the  President's 
house.  Soon  after  dusk,  the  members  of  Congress 
and  others  presented  themselves,  the  doors  standing 
open.     The  drawing-room  was  crowded,  Mrs.  Madison 


94  Madison's  admixistratiox. 

doing  the  honors,  the  observed  of  all  observers,  in 
the  meridian  of  her  life  and  queenly  beauty.  She 
represented  the  feelings  of  the  statesman  Avho  was  in 
grave  consultation  with  his  official  advisers.  Her 
lace  was  radiant  with  joy  as  she  exchanged  congrat- 
idations  with  her  visitors  upon  the  happy  change  in 
the  aspect  of  public  affairs,  dispensing  hospitalities 
with  unrivalled  grace.  Her  sisters,  Mrs.  Cutts  and 
^Irs.  AVashington,  were  much  admired  in  society. 

President  Madison  had  the  old  school  elegance  of 
manners,  and  abounded  with  information.  He  was 
rather  taciturn  in  public,  without  being  didactic  or 
frigid.  Among  private  friends  his  conversation  was 
delightful  and  humorous,  and  in  small  and  confiden- 
tial circles  he  blazed  out  into  unrestrained  facetious- 
ness  and  occasional  brilliant  flashes  of  wit.  A  friend 
once  visited  him  at  Montpelier,  when  he  was  con- 
fined to  his  bed  by  severe  indisposition.  When  his 
family  and  guests  sat  down  to  dinner,  the  invalid 
desired  the  door  of  his  room  left  open,  "so  that  he 
could  hear  what  was  going  on."  Every  few  moments 
he  called  out  in  a  feeble  but  humorous  voice,  "Doc- 
tor, are  you  pushing  about  the  bottles  ?  Do  your 
duty.  Doctor,  or  I  must  cashier  you !" 

President  Madison  died  in  ISoG,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six,  his  mind  clear  and  active  to  the 
last,  and  occupied  with  solicitous  concern  for  the 
safety  of  the  Union,  of  which  he  had  been  one  of 
the  great  founders.  Moderation,  purity,  temperance, 
virtue  in  everything,  were  the  characteristics  of  his 
life  and  manners,  and  he  was  one  of  the  purest  of 
public  men. 


Y. 

MONROE'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Monroe  a  Eepresentative  of  an  Age  prolific  in  Great  Men — Tlie  Eulogy 
of  Peyton  and  Adams — The  Old  Man  at  the  Polls — Inauguration  of 
Monroe— His  Cabinet— The  Dress  of  the  Period-"  The  Last  of  the 
Cocked  Hats  " — Curious  Reminiscence  at  the  first  Levee — Monroe's 
Character — Madison's  Anecdote  of  the  Dutchmen — Henry  Clay  a  ris- 
ing  Man — Calhoun  in  his  Youth— Men  of  Note — Judge  Marshall — 
William  H.  Crawford — Thomas  H.  Benton  and  Others — The  Quar- 
rel of  the  British  and  French  Ministers  at  a  Court  Dinner— Light- 
ing of  the  Executive  Mansion — Extinction  of  the  Federal  Party — 
Mrs.  Monroe  and  her  accomplished  Daughters — Mr.  Crawford's  Re- 
buff by  the  President — Female  Society  in  "Washington — Letter  of 
Lord  Holland  introducing  two  young  Gentlemen  of  Rank — The 
Presidential  Campaign — Disinterestedness  of  Monroe— Letter  of 
La  Fayette — His  Offer  of  Aid  declined — The  Grandchildren  of 
Monroe — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gouverneur — Sketch  of  Mrs.  "Wingate. 

CoLOXEL  Peytox  saicl :  "Mr.  Monroe  is  a  noble 
representative  of  an  age  prolific  in  great  men ;  men 
who  had  passed  the  ordeal  and  been  chastened  by 
the  fires  of  a  revolution  on  principle.  Men  whose 
ambition  Avas  nurtured  on  wholesome  food,  and  who, 
as  De  Tocqueville,  the  great  political  philosopher  of 
France,  remarked,  would  have  been  intellectual  giants 
in  any  period  of  the  world.  Coming  forth  from  a 
revolution  in  which  they  had  pledged  to  each  other 
and  to  the  cause  '  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their 
sacred  honor/  they  set  to  work  earnestly  and  lion- 


96  Monroe's  administration. 

estly  to  put  in  motion  and  give  efficiency  and  success 
to  Avhat  tliev  had  created  at  so  much  cost  of  blood 
and  treasure.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  such  men,  sur- 
rounded b}'  such  circumstances,  breathing  such  an 
atmosphere  of  self-sacrificing  virtue  and  heroic  devo- 
tion, that  Mr.  Monroe  learned  his  first  lessons  and 
had  stamped  upon  him  the  glorious  impress  of  the 
age."  From  presiding  over  the  commonwealth  of 
Virginia  as  governor,  Monroe  was  called  to  a  seat  in 
the  United  States  Senate.  Then  as  Minister  Pleni- 
potentiary to  the  courts  of  France,  Spain  and  Eng- 
land, when  our  government  was  just  settling  upon  its 
foundations,  and  all  its  relations  as  one  of  the  family 
of  nations  had  to  be  arranged,  and  when  the  disturb- 
ing causes  of  the  French  Revolution  had  disjointed 
every  thing  in  the  old  world,  and  the  position  of  a 
minister  could  only  be  filled  by  a  man  of  exj^erience, 
ability,  and  courage. 

John  Quinc}^  Adams  wrote  :  "  Mr.  Monroe  strength- 
ened his  country  for  defence  by  a  system  of  com- 
bined fortifications,  military  and  naval ;  sustaining 
her  rights,  her  dignity  and  honor  abroad ;  soothing 
her  dissensions  and  conciliating  her  acerbities  at 
home ;  controlling  by  a  firm  though  peaceful  policy 
the  hostile  spirit  of  European  alliance  against  repub- 
lican South  America;  extorting,  by  the  mild  com- 
pulsion of  reason,  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  from  the 
stipulated  acknowledgment  of  Spain ;  and  leading 
back  the  imperial  autocrat  of  the  North  to  his  lawful 
boundaries,  from  his  hastily  asserted  dominion  over 
the  Southern  Ocean.  Thus  strengthening  and  consoli- 
dating the  federative  evidence  of  his  country's  union. 


Monroe's  patriotism.  97 

till  h-e  Avas  entitled  to  say,  like  Augustus  Ccesar  of  his 
imperial  city,  that  he  had  found  her  built  of  brick, 
and  left  her  constructed  of  marble." 

"I  ^vill  vote  for  James  Monroe!"  exclaimed  an 
aged  man,  brought  to  the  polls  at  the  Avarmly  con- 
tested election ;  '-  his  grandfixther  befriended  me  when 
I  first  came  into  the  country."  The  same  noble  spirit 
of  benevolence  Avhich  prompted  the  grandfather  to 
receive  a  helpless  stranger  in  his  home,  might  be 
traced  in  the  descendant,  ^vho  pledged  his  property 
for  the  credit  of  the  nation.  Mr.  Monroe  had  been 
made  Secretary  of  State  by  President  Madison,  in 
1811.  It  was  an  important  and  awful  crisis.  Monroe 
came  on  board  the  ship  of  state  just  before  she 
plunged  into  the  midst  of  her  perils.  The  resigna- 
tion of  the  Secretary  of  War  threw  upon  him  the 
additional  duties  of  that  department.  When,  from 
the  low  state  of  the  national  credit  and  the  ex- 
hausted condition  of  the  treasury,  it  was  impossible 
to  raise  funds  for  the  defence  of  New  Orleans,  Mon- 
roe, with  a  patriotic  devoted ness  worthy  of  the  bright- 
est epoch  of  Grecian  fame,  pledged  his  own  individual 
credit  as  subsidiary  to  that  of  the  nation.  He  was 
inaugurated  as  President  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  5th  of  March,  1817.  He  and  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent were  escorted  by  a  large  cavalcade  to  Congress 
Hall,  where  the  Ex-President,  the  Judges  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  and  the  Senators  were  assembled. 
They  attended  him  to  the  portico,  where  he  de- 
livered his  address.  After  the  oath  of  office  was 
administered  by  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  military  sa- 
lutes were  fired.      The  day  was  a  beautiful  one,  and 


98  Monroe's  admixistratiox. 

the  vast  assemblage  testified  their  respect  and  kindly 
feeling. 

The  President  appointed  Jolni  Quincy  Adams  Sec- 
retary of  State,  and  William  II.  Crawford  for  the  De- 
partment of  the  Treasury.  Mr.  Calhoun  was  afterwards 
made  Secretary  of  War,  and  B.  W.  Crowninshield  of 
the  Navy.  In  his  tour  through  the  country  Monroe 
was  greeted  with  general  enthusiasm.  The  barge  fit- 
ted up  for  his  reception  at  Philadelphia,  was  lined  and 
trimmed  Avith  crimson  velvet,  and  rowed  by  sixteen 
oarsmen  dressed  in  scarlet  vests,  w^ith  white  sleeves 
and  trowsers.  The  President  wore  a  dark  blue  coat, 
with  buff  vest,  doeskin  buff-colored  breeches,  and  top 
boots.  He  had  on  a  military  cocked  hat  of  the  fash- 
ion of  the  Revolution,  w4th  a  black  bowed  ribbon 
worn  as  a  cockade.  He  w^as  the  last  of  the  Presidents 
who  adhered  to  this  old-fashioned  style  of  dress,  as 
small-clothes  and  their  accompaniments  were  soon 
afterwards  discarded.  In  some  of  the  journals  he 
was  called  "the  last  of  the  cocked  hats."  At  the 
first  levee  given  by  President  Monroe,  when  he  was 
surrounded  by  a  crowd,  he  heard  a  voice  outside  the 
throng  shout ;  "  Ah,  Jemmy  Monroe !  Jemmy  Mon- 
roe !  you  feel  finer  than  you  did  the  day  I  picked  you 
up  from  the  battle-field  of  Trenton,  with  a  Hessian 
bullet  in  your  shoulder !"  The  speaker  was  unable  to 
make  his  way  to  the  President ;  but  the  latter  soon 
discovered  him  to  be  old  Mr.  Coryell,  to  Avhose  house 
he  had  been  carried  wounded  from  the  field,  and 
where  he  remained  till  he  was  able  to  take  his  place 
as  aid  to  Lord  Stirlins;. 

It  was  owing  to  his  conciliatory  and  tranquillizing 


monkoe's  character.  99 

influence — the  effect  of  deep  and  calm  mental  power 
— that  the  party  spirit  which  had  been  so  fierce  and 
disturbing,  was  laid  to  rest.  "The  era  of  good  feel- 
ing" was  inaugurated,  by  his  wise  management  and 
his  personal  manners.  On  the  7th  July  1817,  he 
dined  w^ith  Mr.  Adams,  and  after  dinner,  accompanied 
by  the  other  guests,  made  an  afternoon  visit  to  Mr. 
Quincy.  Mr.  Monroe's  exterior  was  grave  and  mild. 
He  w\as  tall  and  \vell  formed,  and  had  a  manner 
marked  with  dignity  and  ease,  without  any  of  the 
acquired  graces  of  a  man  of  society.  He  was  pru- 
dent, plodding,  generous  and  patriotic,  and  though  one 
of  the  least  splendid,  the  most  fortunate  of  statesmen. 
Few  persons  ever  knew  him  intimately  who  did  not 
love  him.  There  was  a  downrightness,  a  manliness, 
a  crystal-like  integrity  in  his  conduct,  which  constantly 
grew  upon  associates.  Jefferson's  frequent  remark 
that  he  was  so  perfectly  honest,  that  "  if  his  soul 
were  turned  inside  out,  not  a  spot  would  be  found  on 
it,"  has  become  historic.  Mr.  Madison  said  that  his 
countryman  had  not  generally  appreciated  his  solid 
but  not  showy  understanding.  His  extreme  gener- 
osity, not  only  to  the  numerous  members  of  his  fam- 
ily dependent  on  him,  but  to  friends,  contributed  to 
his  impoverishment.  He  and  Madison  often  addressed 
the  people  each  in  his  own  favor.  On  one  occasion 
they  met  at  a  church.  There  was  a  nest  of  Dutchmen 
in  that  quarter,  whose  vote  might  probably  turn  the 
scale.  Service  was  performed,  and  then  they  had 
music  with  tw^o  fiddles.  When  it  w^as  all  over,  they 
made  speeches  to  the  people,  keeping  them  standing 
in  the  snow.  They  stood  it  out  very  patiently;  seem- 
7 


^03860 


100  MONROE'S    ADMINISTRATIOxY. 

ing  to  consider  it  a  sort  of  fight,  of  which  they  were 
required  to  be  spectators.  Madison  had  to  ride  in 
the  night  twelve  miles  to  quarters,  and  got  his  nose 
frost-bitten. 

Mr.  Goodrich  was  in  Washington  in  the  winter  of 
1810-20.  Mr.  Tompkins  w\as  Vice-President ;  Judge 
Marshall  was  at  the  head  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  Clay 
w^as  Speaker  of  the  House.  The  two  most  noted 
members  besides  him,  were  William  Lowmdes  of  South 
Carolina  and  John  Randolph  of  Virginia.  The  clouds 
were  then  mustering  for  the  tempest  that  follow^ed 
the  application  of  Missouri  for  admission;  "poor  un- 
heard Missouri "  as  Clay  called  her — she  being  then 
w^ithout  a  representative.  His  tall,  towering  form, 
his  long,  sweeping  gestures,  his  musical  yet  thrilling 
tones,  made  a  deep  impression. 

^^  Mr.  Callioun,"  Quincy  said, "  is  quite  a  young  man 
compared  with  Mr.  Adams,  and  has  much  personal 
beauty ;  he  is  tall  and  finely  made,  neither  spare  nor 
robust ;  his  movements  are  light  and  graceful ;  his 
complexion  is  dark ;  his  features  are  handsome  and 
animated,  with  brilliant  black  eyes.  In  his  counte- 
nance all  the  manly  virtues  are  displayed,  wdth  shin- 
ing benevolence.  In  his  manners  he  is  frank  and 
courteous.  In  Washington  as  well  as  elsew^here,  Mr. 
Calhoun  is  held  as  a  model  of  perfection.  M'Lean  is 
apparently  older  than  Calhoun ;  in  person  he  is  tall  and 
spare  ;  his  complexion  is  fair,  his  countenance  mild  and 
pleasing,  his  fine  blue  eyes  beaming  with  good  nature, 
revealinii:  the  benevolence  of  his  heart.  His  manners 
nre  those  of  an  accomplished  gentleman.  General 
Brown,  General  in  Chief  of  the  United  States  army, 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  101 

Judge  Thurston,  General  Van  Ness,  Messrs.  Brent  and 
Carroll,  all  gentlemen  of  wealth  and  distinction,  re- 
side in  AYashington."  The  appearance  of  Lowndes 
was  remarkable.  He  was  six  feet  two  inches  high, 
slender,  bent,  emaciated,  and  of  feeble  frame.  His 
complexion  was  sallow  and  dead,  and  his  face  almost 
expressionless.  His  voice  was  low  and  w^hispering. 
Yet  he  was  the  strong  man  of  the  House ;  strong  in 
his  various  knowledge,  his  comprehensive  understand- 
ing, his  pure  heart,  his  upright  intentions.  Rufas 
King  at  that  time  held  the  highest  rank  in  the  Senate 
for  able  statesmanship,  combined  with  acknowledged 
probity  and  great  dignity  of  person,  manner  and  char- 
acter ;  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  too,  stood  very  high,  and 
William  Hunter,  of  Rhode  Island,  noted  for  his  agree- 
able presence  and  his  great  conversational  powers ; 
with  William  Pinkney,  of  Maryland,  the  most  dis- 
tinguished lawyer  of  that  era;  a  large,  handsome 
man,  dressed  somewhat  foppishly — often  in  a  white 
waistcoat  and  white  top-boots ;  and  Mr.  Macon,  of 
North  Carolina,  a  solid,  farmer-like  man,  greatly 
esteemed  for  combining  a  sound  patriotism  with  a 
consistent  political  career.  The  general  aspect  of 
the  Senate  was  that  of  dignity,  sobriety  and  refine- 
ment. There  were  more  who  had  the  marks  of  well- 
bred  gentlemen  than  at  the  present  day. 

Judge  Marshall  was  still  in  the  full  vigor  of  his 
career.  He  was  tall  and  thin,  with  a  small  face,  ex- 
pressive of  acuteness  and  amiability.  His  personal 
manner  was  eminently  dignified ;  yet  his  looks  did 
not  give  the  idea  of  his  great  abilities  and  lofty  moral 
qualities.     William  H.  Crawford  was  one  of  the  few 


102  MONROE'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX 

men  who,  having  a  great  fame,  became  greater  as  he 
"Nvas  more  closely  examined.  In  stature  he  was  a 
head  and  .shoulders  above  the  common  race,  and  justly 
proportioned,  with  manly  features  and  open  counte- 
nance, frank  and  cordial  manners  and  fluent  and  im- 
pressive conversation.  When  he  was  a  member  of 
Monroe's  cabinet,  the  array  of  eminent  men  was  thick ; 
historic  names  of  the  expiring  generation  were  still 
on  the  public  theatre,  and  the  distinguished  of  the 
new  generation  were  entering  on  it.  He  had  served 
in  the  Senate  during  Madison's  administration,  con- 
spicuous in  that  body,  then  pre-eminent  for  its  able 
men.  He  spoke  forcibly  and  to  the  point,  with  a 
ready  and  powerful  elocution,  and  was  "  the  Ajax  of 
the  administration."  Senatorial  debate  was  then  of 
a  high  order — a  rivalship  of  courtesy  as  well  as  of 
talent :  and  Crawford  was  invaluable  in  the  Senate ; 
but  a  man  of  head  and  nerve  w\as  w^anted  to  repre- 
sent the  United  States  at  the  French  Court,  and 
Madison  selected  Mr.  Crawford,  who  was  in  Paris 
when  the  great  Emperor  fell,  reappeared,  and  fell 
again.  From  this  high,  critical  post  he  w^as  called 
by  Monroe  to  be  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  He  was 
the  dauntless  foe  of  nullification. 

Chief  Justice  Marshall  still  presided  over  the  su- 
preme Court,  associated  with  Justice  Story,  Justice 
Johnson,  of  South  Carolina,  Justice  Duval  and  Jus- 
tice Washington,  of  Virginia.  The  friends  of  popular 
representative  institutions  might  contemplate  their 
administration  with  pride  and  pleasure,  and  challenge 
comparison  with  any  government  in  the  w^orld. 

The  agitating  question  of  the  session  of  1820-21, 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  103 

was  the  admission  of  the  State  of  Missouri.  The 
question  of  restricting  slavery  had  been  compromised 
the  session  before ;  the  ''  compromise "  being  the 
work  of  the  South,  sustained  by  the  united  voice  of 
Monroe's  cabinet  and  the  Southern  Senators.  Mr. 
Clay  was  the  author  of  the  final  settlement  of  the 
Missouri  controversy  by  the  actual  admission  of  the 
State,  The  session  was  also  remarkable  as  being  the 
first  at  which  any  proposition  was  made  in  Congress 
for  the  occupation  and  settlement  of  our  territory  on 
the  Columbia  River — the  only  part  then  owned  by 
the  United  States  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

Thomas  Hart  Benton,  who  was  thirty  years  a  Sen- 
ator, was  born  in  North  Carolina,  March,  1782 ;  the 
son  of  Colonel  Jesse  Benton  and  Ann  Gooch,  of  a  col- 
onial flimily  in  Virginia.  He  was  cousin  to  the  wife 
of  Henry  Clay,  who  was  Lucre tia  Hart.  His  mother 
was  a  woman  of  fine  intellect,  matured  by  reading 
and  observation,  and  of  great  moral  worth,  elevation 
of  character  and  ardent  piety.  The  hospitality  of 
the  times  brought  her  into  acquaintance  with  the 
prominent  men  of  the  Revolution,  Colonel  Benton 
was  one  of  the  first  Senators  sent  from  the  State  of 
Missouri.  All  the  departments  of  the  Government 
then  appeared  to  great  advantage  in  the  personal 
character  of  their  administrators.  Mr.  Monroe  was 
President,  Governor  Tompkins  Vice-President;  John 
Quincy  Adams,  Secretary  of  State ;  William  II. 
Crawford,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  John  C.  Cal- 
houn, Secretary  of  War;  Smith  Thompson,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy;  John  McLean,  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral ;  William  Wirt,  Attorney  General.     The  Senate 


104  MONROE'S    ADMINISTRATION". 

presented  a  long  list  of  eminent  men  known  by  their 
services  in  the  federal  or  State  governments^  and 
the  national  representation  was  of  great  weight  and 
efficiency. 

At  a  court  dinner  given  to  the  diplomats  by  the 
President,  Sir  Charles  Yaiighan,  the  British  minister, 
found  himself  seated  opposite  the  Count  de  Serrurier, 
the  ambassador  from  France.  The  differences  be- 
tween these  two  countries  had  not  a  little  influenced 
the  feelings  of  their  representatives.  Several  times 
Vau«:han  noticed  that  the  French  minister  bit  his 
thumb  when  he  made  a  remark;  and  at  last  his  irri- 
tation found  vent  in  the  question — "Do  you  bite 
your  thumb  at  me,  Sir?" — "I  do,"  was  the  Count's 
unhesitating  reply.  Yaughan  instantly  left  the  table 
and  went  out  into  the  hall,  promptly  followed  by  his 
antagonist.  Both  drew  their  swords,  and  the  swords 
were  crossed.  Mr.  Monroe,  who  had  come  after 
them,  drew  his  also;  but  it  w\as  to  throw  theirs  up. 
He  then  called  his  servants,  ordered  the  gentlemen 
into  separate  apartments,  and  sent  for  their  carriages 
to  convey  them  home.  When  this  was  done,  he  re- 
turned to  his  remaining  guests,  and  finished  dinner. 
Early  the  next  morning  the  two  ministers  sent  apol- 
oo::ies  for  their  unbecomino;  behavior,  and  their  differ- 
ence  was  amicably  settled. 

"The  east  room"  was  the  play-room  of  Mr.  Mon- 
roe's daughters,  and  w^as  then  in  an  unfinished  state. 
The  streets  of  the  capital  were  often  in  so  bad  a 
condition,  that  it  was  common  to  see  several  four- 
horse  waii:ons  stalled  in  front  of  the  house.  At 
every  reception  given  by  the  President,  the  lighting 


EXTINCTION"    OP    THE    FEDERAL    PARTY.      "    105 

of  the  mansion  by  wax  lights  cost  one  hundred  dol- 
lars. This  expense  is  now  saved  by  the  gas,  which, 
as  well  as  the  coal,  is  furnished  by  the  government. 
All  Mr.  Monroe's  silver  plate  was  his  own  property, 
and  bore  his  initials.  It  was  purchased  of  him  by 
the  government,  and  used  in  the  White  House  till 
Van  Buren's  time. 

Mrs.  Adams  wrote  to  Judge  Yanderkemp  in  Janu- 
ary, 1818:  "When  President  Monroe  was  in  Bos- 
ton upon  his  late  tour,  encompassed  by  citizens,  sur- 
rounded by  the  militar}',  harassed  by  invitations  to 
parties  and  applications  innumerable  for  office,  some 
gentleman  asked  him  if  he  was  not  completely  worn 
out.  To  which  he  replied,  '  Oh  no ;  a  little  flattery 
w^ill  support  a  man  through  great  fatigue.' " 

Monroe's  re-election  was  with  scarcely  the  show  of 
opposition.  The  Federal  party  had  ceased  to  exist. 
The  leading  aspirants  to  the  Presidency  were  mem- 
bers of  the  cabinet,  and  were  reluctant  to  oppose 
their  chief.  All  the  previous  Presidents  except 
Adams  had  served  two  terms,  and  the  gener£il  opinion 
w^as  that  not  to  elect  one  to  a  second  term  would  be 
equivalent  to  a  condemnation  of  his  conduct  in  the 
first.  The  defeat  of  John  Adams,  in  1800,  had  been 
spoken  of  as  "  an  interruption  of  his  administration," 
and  was  regarded  as  a  disgrace  as  well  as  a  defeat. 
The  political  calm  that  had  followed  the  election  of 
Jefferson  lasted  some  twenty  years,  during  which 
time  the  Federal  party  was  annihilated.  Then  the 
Jeffersonian  influence  seemed  to  have  spent  its  force. 
The  older  politicians,  invested  with  revolutionary  as- 
sociations, were  passing  from  the  stage,  and  the  second 


106  Monroe's  AD^riNisTRATiox. 

generation  of  public  men  had  acquired  experience 
and  celebrity. 

Mrs.  Monroe  ^vas  an  elegant  and  accomplished 
woman  ;  a  model  of  all  that  is  charming  in  the  femi- 
nine character,  with  a  dignity  of  manner  peculiarly 
befitting  her  elevated  station.  She  was  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Kortright,  a  native  of  the  city  of  New  York. 
She  and  her  two  sisters  were  beautiful  girls,  belles  of 
New  York  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  courted 
by  both  American  and  British  officers.  One  of  the 
sisters  w^as  married  to  Nicholas  Gouverneur;  another 
to  Mr.  Hylager,  a  wealthy  West  Indian.  Elizabeth 
was  ridiculed  and  reproached  by  her  young  friends 
for  having  passed  by  so  many  brilliant  and  dashing 
adorers,  to  choose  a  plain  and  quiet  member  of  Con- 
gress. When  she  accompanied  Mr.  Monroe  to  Paris, 
she  was  called  "la  belle  Americaine,"  and  entertained 
the  best  society  at  her  residence,  with  grace  and  ease. 
Her  eldest  daughter  Eliza  was  educated  in  Paris  at 
Madame  Campan's  establishment,  and  became  the 
second  wife  of  Judge  George  Hay,  of  Virginia,  a  dis- 
tinguished member  of  the  bar  in  Richmond.  Their 
daughter  Hortensia  was  a  very  beautiful  girl.  A 
daughter  of  Judge  Hay  by  a  former  marriage — Mrs. 
Samuel  Ringgold — was  one  of  the  ilxmily  circle  at 
the  White  House.  Hortensia  married  Lord  Roi»:ers 
of  Baltimore. 

Maria  Monroe  was  one  day  in  her  father's  office, 
during  his  Presidency,  when  William  H.  Crawford 
came  in,  urging  something  on  Mr.  Monroe  which  he 
wanted  time  to  consider.  Crawford  insisted  with 
vehemence   on  its  being  done   at  once ;    saying,  at 


WASUIXGTOX    LADIES.  107 

length,  ''  I  vriW  not  leave  this  room  till  my  request  is 
granted."  '-You  will  not!"  exclaimed  the  President, 
starting  up  and  seizing  the  poker.  '•  You  will  jwiv 
leave  the  room,  or  you  will  be  thrust  out."  Crawford 
was  not  long  in  making  his  exit.  Maria  was  married 
at  the  White  House  to  Samuel  L.  Gouverneur,  the 
nephew  of  Mrs.  Monroe;  Nicholas,  his  father,  having 
married  Miss  Kortright.  These  ladies  dispensed  the 
hospitalities  of  the  Presidential  mansion,  and  exer- 
cised a  favorable  influence  on  Washington  society. 
The  court  circle  in  Monroe's  administration  still  had 
the  aristocratic  spirit  and  elevated  tone  which  had 
characterized  the  previous  administrations.  Its  su- 
periority was  universally  acknowledged,  and  nothing 
vulgar  entered  its  precincts.  Elegance  of  dress  was 
absolutely  required.  On  one  occasion  Mr.  Monroe 
refused  admission  to  a  near  relative  who  happened 
not  to  have  a  suit  of  small-clothes  and  silk  hose  in 
which  to  present  himself  at  a  public  reception.  He 
was  driven  to  the  necessity  of  borrowing  for  once. 

Mrs.  Monroe  died  at  Oak  Hill,  Virginia,  the  resi- 
dence of  her  husband,  and  her  grave  was  shaded  by 
a  large  pine  tree  in  the  garden.  Her  daughter  Maria 
was  laid  beside  her  in  1850;  Mrs.  Hay  died  in  Paris, 
and  w^as  buried  in.  Pere  la  Chaise. 

The  female  society  at  Washington  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  Monroe  w\as  essentially  Southern.  Vir- 
ginia, proud  of  her  Presidents,  sent  forth  her  bright- 
est flowers  to  adorn  the  court  circle.  The  wealth  of 
the  sugar  and  cotton  planters,  and  of  the  vast  wheat- 
fields  of  the  agricultural  States,  cultivated  by  ne- 
groes, enabled  Southern  Senators  and  Pepresentatives 


108  moxroe's  admixistratiox. 

to  keep  their  carriages  and  liveried  servants,  and 
to  maintain  great  state.  Dinners  and  suppers  with 
rich  wines  and  the  delicacies  of  the  season,  had  their 
persuasive  influence  over  the  minds  as  well  as  the  ap- 
petites of  the  entertained.  A  few  of  the  richer  mem- 
bers from  the  North  vied  with  Southern  members  in 
their  style  of  living  and  entertainments;  but  so  in- 
considerable was  their  number,  that  they  furnished 
only  exceptions  to  the  rule.  John  D.  Dickinson,  a 
member  of  Congress  from  the  Rensselaer  District, 
(N.  Y.,)  a  man  of  wealth,  was  one  of  these.  His 
daughter  became  the  wife  of  Ogle  Tayloe  of  Wash- 
in  Q:ton. 

After  his  second  election  as  President,  Monroe 
made  a  journey  through  the  Northern  and  Eastern 
States  and  saw  many  of  his  old  companions  in  arms 
as  objects  of  charity.  One  broken  old  man  who  had 
once  been  a  gallant  officer,  as  well  as  a  scholar  and 
a  merchant,  came  to  pay  his  respects,  and  conversed 
with  the  President  with  the  freedom  of  an  old  friend. 
Mr.  Monroe  noticed  his  scanty  wardrobe,  though  he 
uttered  no  complaint.  At  Hanover,  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, he  visited  Mrs.  Wheelock,  and  reminded  her  of 
the  time  when,  a  sprightly  maiden,  she  had  prepared 
the  surgeon's  bandages  for  the  wounded  Lieutenant 
Monroe,  on  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Trenton. 
The  grave  statesman  and  the  elderly  lady  w^ere  re- 
minded of  the  changes  time  had  made,  as  they  talked 
of  the  incidents  of  that  memorable  day. 

Mr.  Monroe's  military  education,  and  the  intrepid- 
ity and  decision  he  had  learned  as  a  soldier  were  of 
great  use  to  him  in  public  life.     The  half  century  in 


YISITOr.S    OF    RANK.  109 

which  he  was  an  actor  on  the  great  stage  of  human 
affairs,  was  eventful  in  the  history  of  nations.  His 
imperturbable  serenity  was  an  excellent  thing  for  a 
diplomatist,  and  often  of  service  to  an  executive  offi- 
cer. He  was  never  dazzled  nor  deluded  by  imagina- 
tion. Ages  may  pass  before  one  more  fortunate  will 
be  found  in  the  Presidential  chair  of  the  American 
republic. 

Lord  Holland  wrote  to  Mr.  Monroe  in  January  1824, 
introducing  four  young  English  gentlemen,  Mr.  Wort- 
ley,  Mr.  Stanley,  Mr.  Labouchere,  and  Mr.  Dennison, 
who  were  taking  a  tour  of  pleasure  and  curiosity  to 
the  United  States.     His  lordship  continues  : 

*'  Such  a  deviation  from  the  common  Hne  of  travels  hitherto  in 
fashion  with  young  men  of  their  rank  has  excited  no  little  sensation 
in  Loudon,  but  receives  the  vrarm  approbation  of  all  thinking  and 
sensible  men.  Should  it  become  a  precedent  for  others,  the  two  freest 
(I  am  afraid  I  might  say  the  only  two  free)  countries  upon  earth  will 
derive  mutual  advantages  from  those  destined  to  acquire  influence,  in 
each  cultivating  acquaintance  and  friendship  with  one  another  in  early 
life.  The  balance,  indeed,  is  likely  to  be  greatly  in  our  favor  ;  for  in 
the  present  state  of  all  our  neighboring  courts,  hitherto  the  common 
markets  for  fashionable  opinion,  all  love  of  liberty  and  all  popular 
feeling  which  we  can  retain  for  our  own  consumption  must  be  of  our 
own  growth,  or  imported  from  your  side  of  the  Atlantic.  There  is  no 
such  comm.odity  on  the  Continent  of  Europe." 

Of  those  young  men,  Mr.  Wortley  belonged  to  a 
branch  of  the  Stuarts,  and  was  a  lineal  descendant 
of  Lady  Mary ;  Mr.  Stanley  was  heir  to  one  of  the 
oldest  names  and  largest  estates  in  the  British  em- 
pire— Lord  Derby's,  and  had  commenced  his  career 
in  the  House  of  Commons  with  the  prospect  of  bril- 
liant success.      Labouchere  was  the  nephew  of  Mr. 


110  MOXUOE's    ADMIXISTIIATION. 

Baring.  Lord  Holland  understood  the  advantage  to 
tlieiu  of  an  acquaintance  Avitli  the  free  institutions 
of  the  United  States,  and  an  introduction  to  the  Pres- 
ident.    He  adds : 

**  I  know  not  whether  they  will  find  you  still  at  Washington,  dis- 
cliaririnjj:  your  useful  and  honorable  functions  as  President,  or  retired 
from  your  labors ;  and  I  hardly  know  which  to  wish  for  their  sakes. 
In  either  case  I  envy  them  the  satisfaction  of  conversing  with  you.  .  .  . 
I  can  assure  you  with  the  utmost  sincerity,  that  among  the  pleasantest 
reflections  on  the  events  of  my  public  life,  is  the  circumstance  of  having 
been  brought  in  contact  with  one  who  was  destined  by  his  fortune  and 
his  virtues  to  fill  the  Presidency  of  the  greatest  republic  now  in  the 
world  in  a  way  honorable  and  advantageous  to  his  country,  beneficial 
to  the  common  interests  of  freedom.,  and  not  unworthy  of  the  great  man 
who  was  first  elevated  to  that  most  glorious  of  situations.  Accept,  my 
dear  Sir,  my  congratulations  on  the  just  commendations  which  are 
everywhere  bestowed  on  your  late  administration,  and  my  thanks,  as  a 
friend  of  freedom  and  a  citizen  of  the  world,  for  the  example  which 
you  have  given,  and  the  manly  and  benevolent  policy  you  have 
pursued."* 

As  the  Presidential  election  of  1824  approached, 
great  popularity  accrued  to  De  Witt  Clinton  by  the 
completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  in  New  York  State ; 
exciting  a  great  appetite  among  public  men  for  that 
kind  of  fame.  The  steam-car  had  not  then  been  in- 
vented ;  but  "internal  improvement,"  was  the  cry 
everywhere.  In  the  summer  of  1824,  General  La  Fay- 
ette came  under  an  invitation  from  the  President  to 
revisit  the  United  States,  and  his  progress  through 
the  States  was  a  triumphal  procession.  He  found 
three  of  his  old  associates  ex-Presidents  —  Adams, 
Jeflerson  and  Madison  ;  another,  Monroe,  in  the  Pres- 
idential chair.     He  was  sent  home  the  following  year 

*MS.  letter. 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  Ill 

as  the  country's  guest,  by  its  new  President,  Mr. 
Adams. 

An  eminent  statesman  of  Virginia,  who  was  a  Sen- 
ator in  Congress  in  the  first  term  of  Washhigton's 
administration  and  in  the  last  term  of  Monroe's,  was 
John  Taylor  "  of  Caroline."  He  died  at  the  close  of 
]824.  He  gave  his  time  to  his  farm  and  his  books 
when  not  called  by  an  emergency  to  the  public  ser- 
vice. His  character  was  announced  in  his  looks  and 
deportment,  and  in  his  uniform  senatorial  dress ;  the 
coat,  waistcoat  and  pantaloons  of  the  same  "London 
brown  "  and  in  the  cut  of  a  former  fiishion ;  beaver 
hat  with  ample  brim,  fine  white  linen,  gold-headed 
cane,  used  for  support  when  bending  under  the  heav- 
iness of  3'ears.  "He  seemed  to  have  been  cast  in  the 
same  mould  with  Mr.  Macon,  and  it  was  pleasant  to 
see  them  together,  looking  like  two  Grecian  sages." 
He  belonged  to  that  constellation  of  great  men  which 
shone  so  brightly  in  Virginia  in  his  day,  and  whose 
light  spread  through  the  boundaries  of  the  civilized 
world. 

The  Presidential  campaign  of  1824  was  not  the  less 
exciting  for  the  long  lull  in  the  political  firmament. 
The  question  of  the  succession  had  been  the  great 
topic  of  conversation  during  the  last  three  years  of 
Mr.  Monroe's  term.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
William  Harris  Crawford,  was  the  heir  apparent  of 
the  Virginia  dynasty,  and  the  "regular"  candidate 
of  the  Republican  party.  Next  to  him  the  most 
prominent  one  was  John  Quincy  Adams,  Secretary 
of  State.  A  third  was  John  C.  Calhoun,  Secretary  of 
"War,  then  but  forty-one  years  of  age,  and  a  different 


112  moxroe's  administratiox. 

man  from  him  who  in  liis  later  years,  as  Miss  Mar- 
tineau  said,  lived  among  his  peers  in  "intellectual 
isolation,"  "a  spectral  statesman,  gaunt  and  grim, 
coming  out  of  the  past  to  repeat  the  maxims  of 
other  ages;'  Wirt  wrote  of  him  in  1824:  '^Calhoun 
is  a  most  captivating  man.  His  is  the  very  character 
to  strike  a  Virginian :  ardent,  generous,  high-minded, 
brave,  with  a  genius  full  of  fire,  energy  and  light;  a 
devoted  patriot,  proud  of  his  country,  and  prizing  her 
glory  above  his  life." 

Colton,  the  biographer  of  Henry  Cla}^,  mentioned  a 
party  given  by  John  Quincy  Adams  on  the  8th  Jan- 
uary, 1821,  in  honor  of  General  Jackson.  The  Presi- 
dent, foreign  ambassadors,  members  of  Congress  and 
many  distinguished  persons,  were  present;  but  Gen- 
eral Jackson  was  the  star  of  the  evening,  with  Mrs. 
Adams  on  his  arm,  presenting  him  to  the  guests. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  struck  with  paralysis  in  August, 
1823,  and  w^as  removed  to  a  cottage  near  Washington, 
where  he  was  visited  only  by  his  confidential  clerk 
and  his  nearest  friends.  The  canvass  for  the  Presi- 
dency raged  on;  hotels  and  drawing-rooms  being 
thronged  by  the  votaries  of  fashion  and  the  satellites 
of  the  different  champions. 

On  the  morning  of  March  16th,  1821,  Jackson 
was  notified  by  the  President  to  attend  him,  and  be 
presented  with  the  medal  voted  him  by  Congress  in 
1815.  This  was  presented  in  the  presence  of  the 
heads  of  departments  and  their  ladies,  the  ladies  of 
the  executive  mansion,  etc.  Monroe  visited  Nash- 
ville during  his  Presidency,  and  General  Jackson  was 
among  those  who  welcomed  and  escorted  him.     They 


LA  FAYETTE'S    LETTER.  113 

entered  the  room  at  a  grand  ball,  arm  in  arm,  the 
General  in  his  newest  uniform ;  while  on  Monroe's 
other  side  walked  General  Carroll,  also  a  man  of  lofty 
stature. 

The  administration  of  Monroe  closed  March  3d, 
1825;  and  after  laying  down  the  burden  of  State  cares, 
he  retired  to  his  home  in  London  County,  Virginia. 
For  a  few  years  only  had  he  the  society  of  his  be- 
loved wife  in  this  pleasant  retreat.  She  was  taken 
from  him,  and  the  widower  went  on  a  visit  to  New 
York.  Here  his  failing  health  was  watched  by  filial 
solicitude  and  tenderness.  After  the  close  of  Mon- 
roe's second  term,  he  commenced  to  reap  the  bitter 
fruits  of  a  life  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  his 
country,  regardless  of  his  own.  As  a  private  citizen, 
he  emerged  from  all  his  successive  public  trusts  with 
poverty  as  the  emblem  of  his  purity  and  the  badge 
of  all  his  public  honors.  In  the  death  of  his  devoted 
wife  in  September,  1830,  he  realized  that  his  cup  of 
earthly  sorrow  was  full  to  the  brim.  She  had  adorned 
every  public  position  he  ever  held,  with  enviable 
graces  of  person  and  mind.  She  had  nobly  partici- 
pated in  all  his  troubles,  and  with  her  sudden  loss 
all  the  hopes  of  his  declining  years  faded  rapidly. 

La  Fayette  w^rote  to  Mr.  Monroe  in  1828,  when  he 
was  depressed  by  the  failing  health  of  his  wife : 

"  The  papers  have  confirmwl  my  fears  of  your  pecuniary  situation 
being  still  worse  than  I  had  for  a  long  time  apprehended.  Under 
those  circumstances,  there  is  great  need  of  her  and  your  fortitude.  My 
feelings  on  every  account  it  were  superfluous  to  express.  The  settle- 
ment of  your  claims  has  been  left  open.  May  the  actual  session  iinisli 
what  the  last  one  has  begun  ! 

"  In  the  nieantiniej  my  dear  Monroe,  permit  your  earliest,  your  best, 


11-i  Monroe's  admixistration. 

and  your  most  obliged  friend  to  be  plain  with  you.  It  is  probable  that, 
to  give  you  time  and  facilities  for  your  arrangement  and  mortgage, 
might  be  of  some  use.  Tiic  sale  of  one-half  of  my  Florida  property  is 
full  enough  to  meet  my  family  settlements  and  the  wishes  of  my  neigh- 
bors. There  may  be  occasion  for  a  small  retrocession  of  acres,  in  case 
of  some  claims  on  the  disposed  of  Louisiana  lands — an  o))joct  as  yet 
uncertain,  at  all  events  inconsiderable ;  so  that  there  will  remain  ample 
security  for  a  large  loan;  for  I  understand  those  lands  are  very  valu- 
able, and  will  be  so  to  a  great  extent  after  the  disposal  of  a  part  of 
them.  You  remember  that  in  a  similar  embarrassment  I  have  for- 
merly accepted  your  intervention.  It  gives  me  a  right  to  reciprocity. 
Our  friend  Mr.  Graham  has  my  full  powers.  Be  pleased  to  peruse 
the  inclosed  letter,  seal  it,  and  put  it  in  the  post-office.  I  durst  not 
send  it  before  I  had  obtained  your  approbation.  Yet,  should  it  be 
denied,  I  would  feel  much  mortified.  I  hope,  I  know  you  are  too  much 
my  friend  not  to  accept  what,  in  a  similar  case,  I  would  not  an  instant 
hesitate  to  ask."  * 

The  enclosed  letter  was  a  power-of-attorney  to  Mr. 
Graham,  to  mortgnge  the  lands  mentioned.  Mr.  Mon- 
roe declmed  accepting  the  offer,  and  returned  the 
power-of-attorney  to  General  La  Fayette. 

Mr.  Monroe  left  three  grand-children,  of  whom  the 
youngest  was  Mr.  Samuel  L.  Gouverneur.  The  duties 
of  administrator  of  President  Monroe  devolved  on 
him.  He  published,  in  186 7,  a  work  composed  by 
Mr.  Monroe  in  his  later  years,  entitled  ''  The  People 
the  Sovereigns,"  a  comparison  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States  with  those  of  other  republics.  This 
work  has  excited  much  attention  both  in  this  country 
and  abroad,  and  Mr.  Bancroft  considers  it  worthy  of 
the  closest  study  of  statesmen  and  diplomatists.  Mr. 
Gouverneur,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  war,  w^as 
commissioned  in  the  4th  Regiment  of  Artillery,  and  ac- 

*MS.  letter. 


SKETCH    OF    MRS.    WIXGATE.  115 

companied  General  Scott  from  Yera  Cruz  to  the  city 
of  Mexico.  He  served  with  distinction,  and  was  bre- 
vetted  for  gallant  conduct  at  the  battles  of  Contreras 
and  Cherubusco.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  resigned, 
and  subsequently  was  United  States  Consul  at  the 
port  of  Foo  Choo,  in  China.  He  remained  there  till 
the  commencement  of  the  civil  war,  when  he  re- 
turned to  this  country,  and  now  resides  in  Frederick 
City,  Md.  His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Marion  Campbell, 
is  the  daughter  of  Judge  Campbell,  formerly  Surro- 
gate of  New  York.  She  is  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Fames 
of  Washington,  and  is  a  most  lovely  and  accomplished 
woman. 

Mrs.  Julia  C.  Wingate  was  a  celebrity  in  the  court 
society  during  Monroe's  administration.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  General  Henry  Dearborn,  whose  long  life 
of  seventy-eight  years,  filled  with  patriotic  services 
to  his  country,  terminated  in  1829.  He  was  a  distin- 
guished Revolutionary  officer,  and  served  with  honor 
at  Bunker  Hill,  Ticonderoga,  Monmouth,  Yorktown 
and  elsewhere.  In  1801  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of 
War  and  served  through  both  terms  of  President  Jef- 
ferson's administration.  In  1812  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Senior  Major-General  of  the  American 
army.  In  1822  he  was  sent  as  minister  to  Portugal. 
During  his  residence  at  the  capital,  he  and  other  for- 
eign ministers  were  instrumental  in  saving  the  King 
and  his  court,  from  a  conspiracy  of  the  Queen  and  her 
son  Don  Miguel.  As  an  expression  of  his  gratitude 
the  King  conferred  orders  of  distinction  upon  all  the 
foreign  ministers,  except  General  Dearborn,  whom  the 
law  of  his  country  forbade  to  accept  any;  to  him  he  pre- 


116  moxroe's  admixistratiox. 

sented  his  miniature  set  with  large  solitaire  diamond:^. 
It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  his  grand-daughter  Mrs. 
Charles  Quincy  Clapp.  The  wife  of  General  Dearborn 
was  remarkably  gifted  and  cultivated  in  mind  and 
person,  and  eminently  fitted  to  grace  her  position. 
Under  the  influence  of  such  parents,  their  daughter 
grew  to  womanhood.  At  eighteen  she  was  married  to 
General  Wingate,  whose  name  is  honorably  identified 
with  the  early  history  of  Maine.  She  accompanied 
him  to  Washington,  where  they  resided  in  General 
Dearborn's  fimily.  The  resources  of  Mrs.  Wingate's 
brilliant  mind  were  here  called  forth,  with  the  exercise 
of  her  extraordinary  conversational  powers.  These, 
with  her  attractive  person,  dignified  though  captiva- 
ting manners,  and  genial  disposition,  rendered  her  so- 
ciety eagerly  sought  after.  She  was  the  ornament 
and  the  pride  of  every  circle  in  which  she  appeared. 

In  Washington,  at  that  time,  society  was  repre- 
sented by  the  best  specimens  of  beauty,  intelligence 
and  refinement  in  the  country.  Mrs.  Wingate's  cor- 
dial but  unostentatious  hospitalities  rendered  her 
home  attractive  to  the  most  gifted.  She  was  an 
intimate  friend  of  Mrs.  Madison,  and  enjoyed  the 
esteem  of  all  the  distinguished  personages  at  the 
seat  of  government.  She  w^as  in  Washington  at  the 
time  of  General  La  Faj^ette's  visit  to  this  country. 
On  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  Portland,  General  and 
Mrs.  Wingate  gave  him  a  brilliant  morning  reception. 

Willis,  in  his  History  of  the  distinguished  lawyers 
of  Maine,  has  placed  upon  record  an  incident  illustra- 
tive of  Mrs.  Wingate's  character.  "In  1806,  when 
party  spirit  was  raging  like  a  pestilence,  and  the 


A   HAPPY    THOUGHT.  117 

whole  community  was  divided  into  Federals  and 
Democrats,  Mrs.  Wingate,  wdio  was  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  women  that  Maine  ever  produced,  was  de- 
sirous of  giving  a  genial  welcome  to  her  numerous 
acquaintance  in  her  new  house.  Cards  were  issued, 
the  drawing-rooms  were  filled,  and  ladies  and  gentle- 
men of  both  parties  there  met  face  to  face.  But 
the  elegant  and  fascinating  hostess  was  almost  over- 
whelmed wdth  anxiety  and  despair  to  observe  that 
there  was  no  conversation ;  there  w^ere  no  smiles  nor 
kind  looks  at  each  other.  What  could  she  do  ?  how 
could  she  make  her  friends  happy  ?  A  bright  thought 
suddenly  sprang  from  her  w^arm  heart.  '  Wingate,' 
as  she  always  called  her  husband,  '  send  for  Terpsi- 
chore ;  let  us  have  music  and  dancing.'  It  was  done. 
The  instruments  struck  up ;  hands  and  feet  w^ere 
soon  in  lively  and  graceful  motion.  Though  few  and 
short  were  the  sentences  exchanged.  Federalists  and 
Democrats  long  remember  that  happy  evening."  In 
the  last  years  of  her  life  she  enjoyed,  as  ever,  the 
society  of  her  friends,  and  her  recollections  of  the 
memorable  time  spent  in  Washington  were  clear  and 
full  of  interest.  She  remembered  particularly  the 
visit  of  some  French  gentlemen  at  her  father's,  in 
Maine,  where  they  remained  for  several  days,  and 
mingled  freely  with  the  citizens  of  the  towm.  After 
their  departure,  no  little  surprise  was  created  by  the 
announcement  of  her  father  that  the  strangers  were 
Talleyrand  and  Louis  Philippe,  then  traveling  incog. 
Mrs.  Wingate  w^as  deeply  religious,  and  was  noted 
for  her  charities  and  her  sympathy  wnth  the  unfor- 
tunate.    A  descendant  of  this  distinguished  family 


118  Monroe's  admixistratiox. 

is  Mrs.  Wiiithrop  G.  Eay,  mentioned  here  before  her 
time,  as  she  ^vas  one  of  the  most  admired  visitors  to 
Wasliington  in  the  reign  of  President  Pierce.      She 
is  the  niece  of  Mrs.  Levi  Woodbury.     Colonel  Charles 
Quincy  Clapp,  the  father  of  Georgiana  Wingate  Ray, 
was  the  great-nephew  of  Mrs.  John  Hancock,  and  mar- 
ried Octavia  Wingate,  the  only  daughter  of  Mrs.  Julia 
C.   Wingate.      Her  uncommon  personal   beauty,  ren- 
dered lier  irresistible.     Her  presence  was  an  inspira- 
tion to  the  students  at  Bowdoin  College,  when  she 
attended  their  annual  exhibitions.     At  a  private  ball 
in  Boston,  where  Harvard  University  was  represented, 
complimentary   couplets,   printed   on  cards  in  Greek 
and  Latin,  with  her  name,  attested  the  general  admi- 
ration.     Their    eldest    daughter,  Julia,  a  celebrated 
beauty,  and  highly   gifted,  married  John  Bryce  Car- 
roll, a  gentleman   of  rare     endowments,  and    highly 
connected  in  Virginia.     Miss    Georgie,  the  youngest 
daughter,  was  noted   for  sprightliness  and  w^it,  with  a 
piquant,  original,   charming    grace.      At   one  of  the 
reunions   at    Colonel    Clapp's    hospitable    mansion  in 
Portland,  where   the  broad  hall  was   a  splendid  pic^ 
ture-gallery,  the  author,  Henry  William  Herbert,  im- 
provised a  poem  celebrating  the  loveliness  and  gifts 
of  the  ladies  of  the  family — 

"  A  wreath  of  beauties  sueli  as  ne'er 

Of  king  or  kaiser  graced  the  courtly  sphere."  * 


The  jxKL'm  closes  thus  : 


For  who  can  mark  tlie  fleet  expression  rise, 
So  frau^lit  with  soul  in  IMinna's  glorious  eyes? 
"Who  look  upon  the  clear  an<l  sparkling  grace, 
That  crowns  the  young  Franccsoa's  fairy  face? 
Wlio  catch  the  gems  that  fall,  so  careless  cast 
From  Anna's  lips  so  fluent  and  so  fast, 


THE  l^EW  YOBK 
IpUBLIC  LIBRAK\ 


TILDtN   FOJNCr^ 


:/% 


-OT" 


MRS  o^miMf  MIROF  (&<=  IR ATo 


La-irjwi  In-   H.B.HaU, 


HRS.  WIXTHROP    O.  RAY.  121 

Georgiana  was  married  to  Mr.  Winthrop  G.  Ray,  of 
New  York,  a  grandson  of  Samuel  Gray,  one  of  the 
most  eminent  and  prosperous  merchants  and  ship- 
owners of  Boston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  passed  the  first 
winter  after  marriage  in  New  Orleans^,  where  the 
bride  received  much  attention  from  Henry  Clay,  an 
old  friend  of  the  family,  and  other  distinguished  per- 
sons. She  afterwards  spent  much  time  in  Washing- 
ton, where  her  cousin  Mrs.  Montgomery  Blair,  and 
other  relatives  resided,  and  where  she  was  the  ac- 
knowledged ornament  of  the  best  circles.  Her  home 
is  in  the  city  of  New  York.  There  she  has  been  for 
several  years  a  leader  in  society,  the  brilliant  gather- 
ings in  her  drawing-rooms  being  often  described  in 
newspapers.  The  companionship  of  a  young  and 
lovely  daughter,  whose  charms  and  graces  have  early 
won  celebrity,  of  late  has  added  to  the  attractions  of 
Mrs.  Ray's  house.     She   is  herself  in  the   prime  of 

So  free  and  fearless  ? — she  for  wliom  one  breast 
In  the  far  forest  of  the  boundless  "West 
Beats  worthily  ? — who  see,  »o  young  and  fair, 
Sarah  beside  her— sweet  and  kindred  pair, 
Fit  sisterhood  ?    VHio  marvel  at  the  state 
Of  queenly  Julia,  merrily  sedate, 
Serenely  courteous,  and  superbly  bright? 
"V\Tio  look  upon  the  quick  and  flashing  light 
That  leaps  from  Georgiana's  everj'  feature — 
Most  artless,  innocent,  bewitching  creature? 
"VNlio  gaze  on  Sarah's  soul  entrancing  face, 
All  woman  mirthfulness  and  woman  grace ; 
Her  self-curled  locks,  and  eyes  whose  azure  hue 
Mocks  the  most  lovely  heaven's  most  lovely  blue? 
"Wlio  can  behold,  and  dream  that  ?even  like  these, 
Bloom  on  the  softer  shores  of  Southern  seas? 
Tis  done!  tis  done!  the  high  emprise  is  gained, 
The  minstrel's  task  is  o'er,  his  end  attained — 
Francesca,  Minna,  Sarah,  Julia,  Ann, 
Georgiana,  Sarah,— match  them  if  you  can ! 

Minna  was  Mrs.  Montgomery  Blair ;  Francesca,  Mrs.  Fry ;  Anna,  Mrs. 
Bigelow;  Sarah,  Miss  Chaddock;  Julia,  Mrs,  Carroll;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Ilerl  ert ; 
Georgiana,  Mrs.  Ray. 


122  MONROE'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

lovely  womanhood,  and  her  bright  beauty  is  rendered 
more  bewitching  by  her  sprightliness  and  quick, 
though  always  good-natured  wit.  Something  spark- 
ling and  original  always  appears  in  her  conversation ; 
perfectly  unstudied  and  impulsive,  illuminating  every 
subject  or  placing  it  in  an  amusing  light,  and  carry- 
ing the  sympathies  with  her  by  the  entertainment 
aflbrded.  She  is  the  life  of  every  circle ;  and  so  noble 
is  her  heart,  so  full  of  kindly  charity,  that  her  vivac- 
ity never  wounds.  Many  ol  her  off-hand  jeu  d'esprits 
are  repeated  as  capital  sayings;  but  they  have  no 
filing  beyond  the  gentlest  rebuke  for  self-conceit,  pre- 
sumption or  pride  of  wealth.  Her  unostentatious 
charities  are  known  to  recipients  far  and  wide,  and 
often  have  her  indignant  sarcasms  been  leveled  at 
the  worldly  spirit  that  neglects  merit  where  the  gifts 
of  fortune  are  denied.  For  what  is  termed  "  snob- 
bishness"— the  meanness  that  courts  riches  and  dis- 
tinction, while  doing  injustice  to  talent  obscured  by 
poverty — her  high-hearted  scorn  is  always  shown. 
In  her  generous,  chivalric  nature,  as  well  as  in  her 
personal  and  mental  charms,  there  are  few  women 
like  Mrs.  Eay. 


VI. 

JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

Jefferson's  Opinion  of  Adams — Ilis  previous  Career — Dress  in  the 
Senate — As  Secretary  of  State — ^Irs.  Adams — Her  Influence  on  So- 
ciety— Personal  Appearance  of  Adams — Anecdotes — Levee  after 
the  Counting  of  the  Electoral  Votes — Meeting  between  the  Presi- 
dent and  Jackson — The  Inauguration — Re-opening  of  the  old  Con- 
troversy of  Parties — Duel  between  Clay  and  Randolph — The  Gos- 
sip discreet  for  once — Effects  of  early  Rising — New  Year's  Recep- 
tions— The  Congressional  Library  a  Lounging-place — Etiquette  at 
Presidential  Parties — Party  at  the  British  Minister's — Brilliant  one 
given  by  the  Secretary  of  War — Remarks  of  a  Belle  of  Jefferson's 
days — Description  of  the  "  Court  of  the  younger  Adams  " — Soiree 
given  by  the  Dutch  Minister — Randolph's  Praise  of  Poverty — Prom- 
inent Statesmen  and  reigning  Belles — The  Premier's  last  Party  for 
the  season — Mrs.  Secretary  Porter — Mr.  Clay's  Party — Character 
of  Mr.  Adams. 

Jefferson's  feelings  towards  the  younger  Adams 
were  purely  amicable.  He  had  a  high  opinion  of  his 
integrity  and  ability,  particularly  as  a  writer ;  but 
sometimes  distrusted  his  temper  and  judgment.  He 
said  in  1816  or  1817:  "Monroe  showed  his  usual 
good  sense  in  appointing  Adams.  They  were  made 
for  each  other.  Adams  has  a  pointed  pen  ;  Monroe 
has  judgment  enough  for  both  and  firmness  enough 
to  have  his  judgment  control."  Adams  was  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  and  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  the 
Court  of  St.  James.     He  had  been  connected  with 


124        JOHN   QUINCY  xVDAMS'  ADMINISTRATION". 

the  government  many  years ;  was  a  federalist  of  the 
old  school  and  head  of  that  party  after  the  death  of 
General  Hamilton.  In  dress  and  manners  he  was  a 
model  of  courtly  refinement.  He  always  appeared 
in  the  Senate  in  full  dress;  short  small-clothes,  silk 
stockings  and  shoes ;  arid  was  hahitually  observant 
of  all  the  courtesies  of  life.  When  Adams  accepted 
the  post  of  Secretary  of  State  under  Mr.  Monroe,  his 
wife  took  leave  of  Europe,  where  she  had  passed  the 
greater  portion  of  her  life  amid  a  succession  of  aston- 
ishing events.  It  devolved  on  her  to  make  the  house 
of  the  Secretary  an  agreeable  resort  to  the  multi- 
tudes of  visitors  that  thronged  the  capital  during 
the  session.  A  large  diplomatic  corps  and  a  distin- 
guished set  of  public  men,  not  then  divided  by  party 
lines  in  the  usual  manner,  rendered  the  society  of 
that  time  and  of  Mrs.  Adams'  house  memorable  for 
its  pleasantness.  For  a  brief  time  sectional  animosi- 
ties relented,  personal  denunciation  was  suspended, 
and  the  jealous  rivalry  for  political  honors  was 
smoothed  over,  if  not  quite  covered,  by  the  polish  of 
social  life.  During  the  eight  years  in  which  Mrs. 
Adams  presided  in  the  house  of  the  Secretary  of 
State,  she  excluded  none  on  account  of  political  hos- 
tility. Her  aim  w^as  to  amuse  and  enliven  society, 
and  her  success  was  admitted  to  be  comi)lete.  When 
the  violence  of  partisan  warfare  increased  during  the 
great  contest  for  the  Presidency,  Mrs.  Adams  became 
inclined  to  adopt  habits  of  greater  seclusion.  When 
the  result  made  her  mistress  of  the  Presidential  man- 
sion, her  health  began  to  fail  her  so  much  that  though 
she  continued  to  preside  upon  occasions  of  public  re- 


MRS.  JOnX  QUIXCY  ADAMS.          125 

ception,  she  ceased  to  appear  at  other  times,  and 
began  to  seek  the  retirement  she  preferred. 

Miss  Louisa  Catherine  Johnson,  who  became  the 
wife  of  John  Quinc\^  Adams — was  born,  educated, 
and  married  in  London.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Joshua  Johnson.  In  advanced  age,  her  children  were 
accustomed  to  call  her  "  Madame,"  and  their  father 
"The  President."  The  utmost  deference  was  system- 
aticalh^  paid  to  both  parents.  Li  person  she  was 
petite,  with  lively  manners,  very  fluent  and  brilliant 
in  conversation.  Mr.  Adams  was  then  about  fifty,  of 
middling  stature,  robust  make,  and  with  every  indi- 
cation of  a  vigorous  constitution.  His  complexion 
was  fair,  his  face  round  and  full  and  expressive  of  in- 
tellect ;  his  eye  black,  and  of  such  keenness  that  it 
pierced  the  beholder.  While  Secretary  of  State,  he 
had  from  constant  use,  a  weeping  eye.  But  it  could 
not  be  said,  "  He  gave  to  misery  all  he  had — a  tear." 
A  collection  was  once  made  to  defray  the  funeral 
expenses  of  a  man  who  had  been  in  prosperous  cir- 
cumstances. The  friend  who  went  soliciting  contri- 
butions among  officers  of  high  rank  in  the  govern- 
ment found  little  encouragement.  He  was  recom- 
mended to  call  on  Mr.  Adams.  "On  that  iceberg!" 
he  exclaimed.  "It  would  be  folly."  However,  he 
finally  went  to  see  Mr.  Adams.  He  looked  over  the 
*paper,  took  out  his  pocket-book,  and  handed  the  young 
man  in  silence,  two  notes  of  twenty  dollars  each. 

On  the  9th  February,  1825,  after  the  formal  open- 
ing of  the  electoral  packets,  it  was  announced  that 
Mr.  Calhoun  had  been  elected  Vice-President;  that 
no  one  had  received  a  majority  of  electoral  votes  for 


126         JOHN    QUINCT  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

the  Presidency,  and  that  the  House  of  Eepresentatives 
had  then  to  elect  a  President  from  the  three  highest 
candidates,  Jackson,  Adams  and  Crawford.  The  Sen- 
ators retired.  The  roll  of  the  House  was  called  by 
States  ;  the  vote  of  each  State  was  deposited  in  a  box, 
and  placed  on  the  table.  The  tellers,  Daniel  Web- 
ster and  John  Randolph,  proceeded  to  open  the  boxes 
and  count  the  ballots.  The  election  of  Mr.  Adams 
was  announced  by  Mr.  Webster.  Mr.  Monroe  gave  a 
Presidential  levee  that  evening,  to  which  all  Washing- 
ton rushed.  Goodrich  relates  that  in  the  course  of 
the  evening  Mr.  Adams  and  General  Jackson  uncon- 
sciously approached  each  other  in  the  throng.  Sud- 
denly the  persons  around,  seeing  they  were  about  to 
meet,  stepped  aside  and  left  them  face  to  face.  Gen- 
eral Jackson  had  a  handsome  lady  on  his  arm.  The 
two  looked  at  each  other  for  a  moment,  and  then 
Jackson  moved  forward,  stretched  out  his  long  arm, 
and  said,  "  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Adams !  I  give  you 
my  left  hand,  for  the  right,  as  you  see,  is  devoted  to 
the  fair;  I  hope  you  are  well,  sir."  Mr.  Adams  took 
the  hand,  and  said  with  chilling  coldness :  "  Very  w^ell, 
sir;  I  hope  General  Jackson  is  w^ell?"  It  was  curi- 
ous to  see  the  western  planter,  the  Indian  fighter,  the 
stern  soldier,  who  had  written  his  country's  glory  in 
the  blood  of  the  enemy  at  New  Orleans,  genial  and 
gracious  in  the  midst  of  a  court ;  while  the  old  courtier 
and  diplomat  was  stiff,  rigid,  cold  as  a  statue  !  It  was 
the  more  remarkable  from  the  flict  that,  four  hours 
before,  the  former  had  been  defeated,  and  the  latter 
w^as  the  victor,  in  a  struggle  for  one  of  the  highest 
objects  of  human   ambition.       Judge    Breckinridge 


MR.  ADAMS  AND  THE  FARMER.        127 

thought  the  repulsive  manner  of  Mr.  Adams  in  public, 
owing  partly  to  natural  reserve,  partly  to  the  diplo- 
matic habit  of  dismissing  all  expression  from  his  coun- 
tenance, derived  from  his  position  abroad.  "  Knowing 
his  natural  warmth  of  disposition,  I  was  surprised  when 
I  saw  him,  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation  re- 
ceive a  splendidly  dressed  personage  glittering  in  gold 
and  feathers,  w^ith  a  formal  coldness  that  froze  like  the 
approach  to  an  iceberg."  After  the  inauguration, 
the  multitude  rushed  as  usual,  to  the  White  House 
to  congratulate  the  new  President ;  General  Jackson 
prominent  in  the  throng.  He  was  among  the  earliest 
of  those  w^ho  took  the  hand  of  the  President,  and 
their  looks  and  deportment  towards  each  other  were 
a  rebuke  to  that  bitterness  of  party  spirit  which  can 
see  no  merit  in  a  rival,  and  feel  no  joy  in  the  honor 
of  a  competitor.  General  Jackson,  as  the  oldest  Sen- 
ator present,  had  that  morning  administered  to  Mr. 
Calhoun  the  oath  of  office.  The  choice  of  Mr.  Adams 
by  the  House  of  Representatives  had  been  brought 
about  through  the  influence  and  exertions  of  Mr, 
Clay. 

Mr.  Adams'  cold  apathetic  manner  often  created 
unpopularity.  When  he  was  a  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  his  political  friends  persuaded  him  to 
attend  a  cattle  show\  Among  the  persons  introduced 
to  him,  was  a  respectable  farmer  of  the  vicinity,  who 
said,  "  Mr.  Adams,  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you.  My 
wife,  when  she  w^as  a  gal,  lived  in  your  father's  family  ; 
you  were  then  a  little  boy,  and  she  has  often  combed 
your  head."  "  Well,"  replied  Mr.  Adams  in  his  harsh 
way,  '^  I  suppose  she  combs  yours,  now."     The  poor 


128         JOHN    QUIXCY  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

farmer  slunk  back.  In  the  House  of  Representatives^ 
one  day  be  attacked  Mr.  Wise  with  great  bitterness^ 
and  in  allusion  to  the  Cilley  duel,  spoke  of  him  as 
coming  with  '^  hands  dripping  with  blood."  There  was 
a  terrible  "jarring"  tone  in  his  voice,  which  seemed 
to  thrill  the  listeners  with  horror,  rather  towards  Mr. 
Adams  than  the  object  of  his  reproaches. 

With  the  elevation  of  Mr.  Adams,  the  old  contro- 
versy, supposed  slain  at  his  father's  defeat,  was  re- 
opened, and  Federalism  appeared  living  and  rampant. 
The  long,  bony  finger,  the  piercing  screech  of  John 
Randolph,  were  raised  in  execration  of  the  delusions 
thus  revived.  Randolph  had  an  old  grudge  against 
the  name  and  race  of  Adams,  and  he  called  the  Presi- 
dent "  John  the  Second."  He  remembered  when,  in 
but  school-boy  days,  his  brother  was  spurned  by  the 
coachman  of  the  Vice-President  for  coming  too  near 
the  arms  emblazoned  on  the  escutcheon  of  the  car- 
riage. In  one  of  his  fierce  harangues,  he  spoke  of 
the  union  of  Adams  and  Clay  as  the  "coalition  of 
Blifil  and  Black  George :  of  the  puritan  and  the 
blackleg;"  a  remark  which  caused  the  famous  duel 
between  Clay  and  Randolph  in  1826. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1825,  John  Quincy  Adams 
delivered  his  inau2:ural  address  and  took  the  oath  of 
office  administered  by  Chief  Justice  Marshall  in  the 
capitol.  His  cabinet  was  composed  of  able  and  ex- 
perienced men;  Mr.  Clay,  Secretary  of  State;  Richard 
Rush  of  Pennsylvania,  recalled  from  the  London  Mis- 
sion to  be  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  James  Barbour 
of  Virginia,  Secretary  of  War;  Samuel  L.  Southard 
of  New  Jersey,  who  had  been  Secretary  of  the  Navy 


A   FAMOUS    DUEL.  129 

under  Monroe,  continuing  in  that  office ;  and  McLean 
and  Wirt  occupying  their  places. 

Mr.  Randolph's  duel  with  Mr.  Clay  took  place  in 
April,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Potomac,  in  Virginia, 
Mr.  Clay's  bullet  knocking  up  the  gravel  behind  Mr. 
Randolph,  who  fired  in  the  air.  The  combatants  then 
shook  hands,  Mr,  Randolph  saying  jocosely,  "You 
owe  me  a  coat,  Mr.  Clay" — the  bullet  having  passed 
through  the  skirt  of  his  coat.  To  which  Mr.  Clay 
replied,  "  I  am  glad  the  debt  is  no  greater."  Benton 
pronounced  this  "  the  highest  toned  duel  he  had  ever 
witnessed."  A  gentleman  noted  for  love  of  gossip — 
Mr.  Ned  Wyer — had  come  dashing  upon  a  group  in 
the  street  with  the  news  that  the  two  statesmen  had 
gone  to  fight.  They  had  not  recovered  from  their 
astonishment  when  Clay  himself  joined  them ;  and, 
as  he  did  so,  he  called  out,  "For  mercy's  sake,  tell 
me  one  thing !  Does  Ned  Wyer  know  what  I  have 
been  about  ?  If  he  does,  it  is  all  over  town,  and  Mrs. 
Clay  will  be  frightened  into  fits ! "  It  happened  for 
once,  however,  that  the  newsmonger  had  been  dis- 
creet, and  his  prudence  in  the  matter  restored  him  to 
the  favor  of  Mrs.  Adams,  who  had  treated  him  coolly 
for  some  time  because  he  had  introduced  at  one  of 
her  select  parties  the  wufe  of  a  member  not  very  par- 
ticular in  her  conduct. 

President  Quincy  carried  one  of  his  virtues  to  ex- 
cess— early  rising.  He  rose  so  early  in  the  morning 
that  he  scarcely  had  sleep  enough ;  so  that  when  he 
sat  down  during  the  day  for  ten  minutes,  he  was  very 
likely  to  fall  asleep.  John  Quincy  Adams  was  also  ad- 
dicted to  excessive  early  rising.     One  day  these  two 


130         JOHN    QUINCY  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

distinguished  men  went  into  Judge  Story's  lecture- 
room  to  hear  him  read  his  lecture  to  his  class  in  the 
law  school.  The  Judge  received  the  two  Presidents 
with  his  usual  politeness,  placed  them  on  the  plat- 
form by  his  side,  in  fall  view  of  the  class,  and  then 
went  on  with  his  lecture.  In  a  very  few  minutes 
both  the  Presidents  were  fast  asleep.  The  Judge 
paused  a  moment,  and,  pointing  to  the  two  sleeping 
gentlemen,  said,  "  Gentlemen,  you  see  before  you  a 
melancholy  example  of  the  evil  effects  of  early  rising." 
This  remark  was  followed  by  a  shout  of  laughter, 
which  effectually  roused  the  sleepers,  after  which  the 
Judge  resumed  his  discourse. 

On  New  Years'  day  it  was  customary  for  the  Pres- 
ident to  receive  all  sorts  of  company.  They  walked 
up,  presented  themselves — if  with  ladies  also  to  Mrs. 
Adams — stalked  about  through  the  numerous  apart- 
ments, tried  to  catch  the  refreshments  which  went 
scudding  round  on  the  heads  of  the  servants,  and 
then  Avent  home  to  tell  what  they  heard,  saw  and 
did.  '^  Mr.  Adams,"  said  a  visitor,  '-  was  punished  for 
more  than  two  hours.  He  stood  in  the  center  of  the 
center-room,  and  most  pathetically  shook  hands  the 
whole  time.  In  the  ladies'  corner  it  was  all  chat, 
flutter  and  graceful  bowing.  In  the  hall  a  band  was 
planted,  to  keep  the  nerves  of  the  company  in  a 
proper  degree  of  agitation.  The  corps  diplomatique 
appeared,  each  in  his  own  national  costume." 

The  library  of  Congress,  though  far  from  being 
completed,  was  a  delicious  morning  lounge,  and  fre- 
quented by  all  the  fashionables  of  both  sexes.  There 
was  much  amusement  in  looking  over  the  pamphlets 


THE    rr.ESIDEXT's    DRAWIXG-llOOM.  131 

published  about  1801,  ^vhen  the  first  great  civil  revo- 
lution took  place,  and  the  marginal  notes  in  Jeffer- 
son's small,  round,  delicate  hand-writing.  Towards 
the  last  of  January  the  President  gave  his  third 
drawing-room  for  the  season.  By  a  rule  of  fiishion, 
every  second  levee  was  considered  exclusively  fash- 
ionable; w^hy,  there  seemed  no  reason  but  the  ca- 
price of  the  gay  world.  This  levee  was  very  splendid, 
crowded,  delightful  and  uncomfortable.  Commenc- 
ing at  seven  in  the  evening,  it  continued  to  nearly 
eleven.  The  three  front  rooms  were  brilliantlv  liolited 
with  lustres,  and  the  company  entered  at  the  eastern 
gate,  passing  through  the  large  hall  where  hats,  great- 
coats and  servants  were  deposited.  At  the  soirees 
of  the  Secretaries,  dancing  w^as  allowed,  with  card- 
tables,  backgammon,  or  chess ;  but  at  the  President's 
there  w^as  nothing  but  talking,  squeezing,  promenad- 
ing, bowing,  drinking  coffee  and  sipping  liqueurs.  The 
Secretary  of  State,  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  and  many 
Jackson  men  from  the  west  w^ere  present.  Every  one 
seemed  looking  for  something  he  could  not  find,  ex- 
cept the  Lady  President,  who,  from  her  life  and  ap- 
parent gayety,  appeared  perfectly  satisfied  wuth  the 
scene.  Around  a  table  many  of  the  promenaders 
would  linger  a  moment,  pledge  themselves  in  coffee 
or  cordials,  gaze  in  the  mirrors,  and  then  saunter  after 
more  compliments.  Many  of  the  western  members 
would  sit  down  and  rest  themselves  on  the  superb 
sofas ;  observing  that  when  backwoodsmen  get  fa- 
tigued, they  always  take  a  seat  on  the  first  stump  they 
meet.  The  leaders  of  the  ton  were  the  very  tUte  of 
the  principal  cities  of  the  Union.     '-  Last  week  was 


132       jonx  QUiNX'V  adams'  administration. 

Clay's  ^Yednes(]ay  night,  and  this  week  has  been  the 
President's  drawing-room  ;  on  both  occasions  it  was  a 
perfect  jam.  Chiy's  night  was  distinguished  for  some 
brilliancy,  some  beauty,  plenty  of  politics,  execrable 
music,  and  a  solitary  cotillion  varied  with  an  occa- 
sional waltz.  On  the  9th  January,  1829,  a  party  was 
given  by  Mr.  A^aughan,  the  British  minister,  which 
excelled  anything  that  had  taken  place  that  season. 
Mr.  Yaughan  Avas  a  bachelor,  and  admitted  to  be  one 
of  the  most  polished  of  that  species.  Another  bril- 
liant party  was  given  at  the  house  of  the  Secretary 
of  War.  Of  all  the  sparkling  festivities  of  the  for- 
eign legations,  the  gala  at  Baron  M.  Krudener's,  was 
of  surpassing  effect.  The  w^it  and  beauty  were  more 
brilliant  than  had  yet  bewildered  the  pleasure-seeking 
society  of  the  national  capital.  The  married  ladies 
were  the  most  admired  belles.  One  of  them  was 
moralizing  over  the  degeneracy  of  modern  times. 
The  halcyon  days  of  Jefferson !  the  glorious,  the  re- 
publican days,  when  the  mind  shone  forth  in  its  pure 
luistudied  richness,  beyond  the  power  of  embroidery, 
lace,  perfumes,  and  the  accomplishments  of  modern 
music  and  dancing-masters.  Whip-syllabubs  were 
not  then  in  fashion,  ice-creams  were  unknown,  and  a 
thousand  villanous  compounds  had  not  been  invented. 
Jefferson  restored  the  simplicity  which  should  forever 
characterize  the  court  of  a  free  people.  In  his  days, 
there  were  no  '  drawing-rooms,'  no  waltzing,  no  fash- 
ionable mobs  where  death  stalked  abroad  in  the  shape 
of  bonbons  and  confectionery.  Jefferson  was  always 
at  home,  from  Monday  till  Saturday.  Whoever  called 
at  the  Presidential  mansion,  the  sage  would  welcome 


THE    BRILLIANT    SCENE.  133 

him  in  his  own  simple  benevolent  manner.  What  a 
contrast — the  court  of  the  younger  Adams !  the  gay 
drawing-rooms  of  the  prince  of  diplomatists!  The 
^  drawing-room  night '  in  the  court  circle  was  Wednes- 
day; then  all  the  worshipers  of  his  Presidential 
Highness,  arrayed  in  their  costliest,  approached  the 
mansion  at  the  hour  of  eight.  Entering  a  large  door, 
the  fair  visitors  passed  through  a  spacious  hall  dimly 
lighted  with  a  couple  of  lamps  hung  between  the  col- 
umns in  the  center.  This  was  the  common  prome- 
nade for  cooling  themselves.  By  a  door  they  were 
ushered  into  the  presence-chamber,  where  the  Presi- 
dent and  Mrs.  Adams  were  encircled  with  brilliancy 
and  beauty.  A  regiment  of  western  visitors  crept 
along  the  carpet,  and  made  an  attack  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  crowd.  Then  came  a  throng  of  beauties  from 
the  Hudson ;  and  Virginia  and  the  South  contributed 
their  share.  They  moved  forward  the  De  Witt  Clin- 
ton of  the  Old  Dominion,  who  in  the  moment  of 
gayety  throws  aside  his  canals  and  railroads  without 
remorse,  and  becomes  the  politest,  easiest,  gayest, 
wittiest,  and  most  enchanting  bachelor  that  adorns 
the  court  of  the  second  Adams.  Then  come  the  fine 
single  gentlemen,  the  flutterers  on  the  edges  of  so- 
ciety, the  butterflies,  the  Venetian  coloring  of  the  gay 
^vorld."  The  cake,  coffee,  ice-creams,  sangaree,  negus, 
and  other  hot  and  cold  liqueurs,  cost  the  President 
about  fifty  dollars  a  night.  "The  cabinet  dinners  are 
the  grand  affairs,  where  wines  and  delicious  viands 
are  congregated,  and  the  fair  sex  are  not  admitted. 
Dancing  is  to  be  found  in  abundance  at  private  par- 
ties. The  lady  mayoress,  by  the  way,  is  one  of  the 
9 


134         JOHN    QUINCY  ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATION. 

prettiest  dancers  of  the  age.  You  must  not  imagine 
that  we  dance  at  the  President's  drawing-room."  In 
after  years  it  was  remarked  :  "  Society  in  Washington 
ought  to  give  the  tone  to  the  whole  country.  It  did 
so  during  Mrs.  Adams'  enchanting,  elegant  and  in- 
tellectual regime.  For  elegance,  refinement,  taste, 
purity,  talent,  beauty  and  worth,  the  fashionable  circle 
Mrs.  Adams  drew  around  her  was  far  superior  to  that 
which  has  appeared  at  any  period  since." 

A  last  soiree  was  given  by  the  Dutch  minister  and 
his  wife.  Their  house  was  esteemed  the  most  intelli- 
gent of  the  legations,  and  was  usually  animated  and 
brilliant.  A  Dutch  belle  from  New  York,  was  con- 
spicuous for  dress  and  beauty;  also  a  lovely,  un- 
affected girl  from  Baltimore.  "  The  heir  apparent " 
had  just  been  married  and  had  come  out  in  royal 
style  at  the  last  levee.  That  virtuous  and  patriotic 
man,  Mr.  Macon,  called  by  Jefferson  "  the  last  of  the 
Eomans,"  had  fixed  the  term  of  his  political  existence 
at  seventy,  and  touched  that  age  in  1828,  in  the  mid- 
dle of  a  third  senatorial  term,  and  in  full  possession  of 
all  his  faculties.  He  resigned  his  honors  as  he  had 
won  them:  meekly,  unostentatiously;  and  after  nine 
years  at  home,  died  in  1837.  His  was  a  long,  noble 
and  exalted  career.  A  soldier  in  the  w^ar  of  the 
Revolution,  he  had  served  his  country  in  legislation 
forty  years;  being  senator  under  Madison,  Monroe 
and  Adams,  and  in  the  intervals  of  public  duty  work- 
ing in  his  fields  at  the  head  of  his  slaves,  and  receiv- 
ing at  his  hospitable  home  all  guests,  from  the  Presi- 
dent to  the  day  laborer.  He  had  two  daughters — 
accomplished  ladies,  who  married  polished  gentlemen ; 


PROMINENT    STATESMEN.  135 

one  of  them^  William  Martin;  the  other  William 
Eaton  of  Roanoke.  He  always  wore  a  dress  of  the 
same  material,  cut  and  color — superfine  navy  blue, 
of  the  fashion  of  the  Revolution;  with  fine  linen,  a 
cambric  stock,  fine  fur  hat,  and  fair  top  boots  outside 
the  pantaloons.  He  would  wear  no  man's  honors. 
Complimented  on  the  report  on  the  Panama  mission 
which  he,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Foreign 
Relations,  had  presented  to  the  Senate,  he  replied — 
"  Yes,  it  is  a  good  report ;  Tazewell  wrote  it."  Ben- 
ton called  him  "  the  Cincinnatus  of  America."  Wil- 
liam Wirt  died  at  sixty-two,  having  reached  a  place 
in  the  first  line  at  the  Virginia  bar,  where  there  were 
such  lawyers  as  Wickham,  Tazewell  and  Watkins 
Leigh ;  with  a  place  at  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
where  there  were  such  jurists  as  Webster  and  Pink- 
ney.  He  had  been  attorney-general  of  the  United 
States  under  Monroe.  In  youth  he  had  been  near 
falling  into  a  fatal  habit,  but  he  retrieved  himself, 
touched  by  the  noble  generosity  of  her  who  after- 
wards became  his  beloved  wife;  and  he  grew  to  be 
the  model  of  every  domestic  virtue,  with  genius  ac- 
knowledged by  all.  He  died  during  the  term  of  the 
Supreme  Court — his  revered  friend  Chief  Justice 
Marshall  still  presiding,  and  Webster  paid  to  his 
memory  the  tribute  of  justice  and  affection. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Fourth  of  July,  1826 — 
only  three  of  the  fifty-six  signers  ol"  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  remained  alive;  in  the  evening 
there  remained  but  one  —  Charles  Carroll  of  Carroll- 
ton,  Maryland.  He  had  filled  high  offices  in  public 
life,  had  enjoyed  the  gifts  of  fortune  and  health,  and 


I3G       JOnX  QUIXCY  adams'  administeatiox. 

lived  in  honor  amid  "troops  of  friends"  to  the  age  of 
ninety-six;  then  he  passed  a^vay,  the  last  of  a  noble 
band  of  patriots. 

In  the  administration  of  John  Quincy  Adams  men 
^vere  not  removed  from  office  on  account  of  their 
poHtical  opinions.  He  'would  not  consent  to  do  it 
even  Avhen  Avarned  that  he  ^vould  lose  a  re-election  in 
consequence.  He  expected,  however,  to  liold  his 
place  eight  3^ears,  according  to  time-honored  usage : 
and  to  be  succeeded  by  Mr.  Clay,  as  previous  Secre- 
taries of  State  had  succeeded  their  chiefs.  The  re- 
nomination  of  General  Jackson  went  a^rainst  this 
theory.  Mrs.  Jackson's  health  was  precarious,  and 
having  her  mind  fixed  on  religious  matters,  she  strove 
to  turn  the  General's  in  the  same  direction.  One 
Sunday  on  the  way  to  church,  she  entreated  him  to 
renounce  the  world,  and  join  her  at  the  sacred  feast 
of  the  Communion.  He  answered  that  such  a  chancre 
would  then  be  attributed  to  the  desire  of  political 
effect.  "  Once  I  am  clear  of  politics,"  he  added,  "  I 
will  join  the  church." 

The  spring  of  1828  set  in  with  great  rapidity  and 
beauty.  The  last  week  in  March  the  atmosphere  was 
balmy  and  delicious,  the  fields  beginning  to  look 
green,  the  ladies  to  become  restless,  and  the  poor, 
harassed  members  to  get  sick  of  the  tariff.  That 
discussion  still  drew  its  slow  length  along.  Some 
mixed  up  the  Presidential  question  with  it.  Mr.  Bar- 
nard of  New  York,  in  an  oration  on  wool  and  woolens, 
showed  himself  a  good  speaker.  He  had  caught  some 
of  tlie  attitudes  of  Mr.  Randolph,  and  used  the  white 
handkerchief  rather  gracefullv.    The  flishionable  sea- 


BELLES    IX    WASIIIXGTOX.  137 

t5on  now  approached  its  termination.  The  last  draw- 
ing-room had  been  thinly  attended,  though  several 
of  the  reigning  belles  were  present.  The  star  of 
every  coterie  for  two  weeks  past  had  been  a  yomig 
lady  from  New  Orleans.  A  famous  has  hieu  from  the 
land  of  pan-€akes  was  shining  in  rivalry,  her  raiment 
studded  with  ten  thousand  Greek  crosses,  she  having 
a  true  Greek  accent,  and  looking  the  Sappho  of  the 
age.  There  was  also  the  vrealthy  and  magnificent 
Florida  belle,  Mrs.  White,  with  a  numerous  train  of 
admirers — a  dozen  orange  blossoms  in  her  hair,  the 
mild  light  of  the  gazelle  in  her  dark  eyes,  and  her 
bust  cased  in  glittering  silver — languishing  through 
the  crowd,  who  retired  to  the  right  and  left  to  permit 
her  to  pass.  If  met,  said  an  admirer,  walking  through 
an  orange  grove  in  Florida,  or  beside  one  of  the  lim- 
pid lakes  amid  the  eternal  spring,  she  would  instantly 
become  an  object  of  worship. 

"Last  week  the  Premier  gave  his  last  party  for  the 
season.  The  ladies  were  arrayed  in  their  costliest 
habiliments,  and  the  night  was  extremely  brilliant. 
Soft  and  sweet  and  linguable  Salem  was  there  in  all 
her  Attic  simplicity  of  taste  and  tongue  and  tassel- 
ated  ringlets.  Albany  was  brilliant  and  dashing ; 
but  what  words  can  describe  brilliant,  black-eyed 
Baltimore,  or  the  gay,  spirituelle  brunette  of  George- 
town! 'Can't  you  take  cream  like  a  gentleman?' 
asked  a  sharp-faced;,  fair  Pcnnsylvanian  of  a  Brutus 
who  v/as  swallowing  it  contrary  to  rule.  In  another 
quarter  was  one  talking  of  the  great  men  and  great 
events  he  had  seen.  He  had  shaken  hands  with 
Jackson,   eaten  beefsteak   with  Adams,  tasted  pork 


138         JOnX    QUINCY   ADAMS'  ADMINISTRATIOIiq'. 

and  molasses  ^vitli  Webster,  sipped  cggnogg  with 
Wright  of  Ohio,  walked  across  the  street  with  Van 
Biiren,  talked  jokes  with  Clay,  nodded  familiarly  to 
Everett,  danced  with  Pennsjdvania,  feasted  with  Ver- 
mont, perambidated  with  New  York,  gallanted  the 
Salem  witches,  and  knew  every  secret  of  diplomacy 
better  than  Clay,  and  financiering  than  Senator 
Barker.  Eed  Jacket  has  made  no  inconsiderable 
sensation  among  the  fashionables.  Some  days  ago 
he  was  sauntering  round  the  rotnnda,  and,  gazing 
listlessly  on  the  several  paintings  which  are  going 
to  destruction  as  fast  as  damp  walls  can  carry  thenu 
his  attention  was  called  to  a  piece  of  carved  work 
representing  the  landing  of  Penn  and  his  treaty  with 
the  Delawares.  Red  Jacket  examined  it,  then,  with 
a  mixture  of  melancholy  and  indignation,  observed 
to  the  interpreter  in  his  native  language,  that  "Father 
Penn  had  not  left  them  land  enough  to  shoot  a  rifle 
over." 

At  the  beginning  of  April,  Mr.  Randolph  made  his 
appearance.  "After  the  tediousness  of  a  month's  dry 
siege  upon  sheep,  molasses,  hemp  and  whiske}^,  the 
reopening  of  his  mouth  was  the  opening  of  a  honey- 
comb," enjoyed  by  the  few  fashionables  who  were  de- 
termined to  stay  as  long  as  Congress  sat.  The  reply 
he  gave  to  Tristram  Burgess  of  Rhode  Island,  was 
one  of  the  best  hits  of  the  session.  Tristram  was  one 
of  the  famous  midnight  judges  manufactured  by  John 
Adams,  a  reverend  looking  old  gentleman,  with  a  por- 
tion of  the  talent,  the  respectability  and  the  wealth 
which  was  the  boas-t  of  the  old  federalists.  One  of 
his  florid  harangues  closed  with  a  violent  philippic 


TRISTRAM    BURGESS — DR.  COOPER.  139 

against  all  foreigners  and  aliens.  Rising  to  reply,  Mr. 
Randolph  pleaded  guilty  of  a  bias  towards  aliens,  of 
no  less  than  thirty  years'  standing,  from  the  day  he 
heard  the  eloquent  and  learned  gentleman  from  Louis- 
iana (Edward  Livingston)  deliver  a  speech  against 
John  Adams'  alien  law.  The  alien  and  sedition  law\s 
were  the  Castor  and  Pollux  of  that  administration. 
"I  see,"  he  continued,  "whence  comes  the  bitterness 
of  the  gentleman  from  Rhode  Island  against  the 
aliens.  It  is  the  ghost  of  the  departed  alien  law\ 
We — John  the  Second — have  no  longer  the  right  to 
remove  the  aliens  out  of  the  country  at  our  nod. 
Why,  I  say,  does  not  the  gentleman  move  to  reenact 
the  alien  law?" 

Tristram  Burgess'  most  vindictive,  true  blue  fed- 
eral feelings  were  roused  when  he  mentioned  the 
name  of  Dr.  Thomas  Cooper  of  South  Carolina,  whom 
he  called  "a  British  renegado,"  though  naturalized 
nearly  thirty  years.  Every  democrat  knew  what  Dr. 
Cooper  had  suffered  under  the  Presidency  of  the  first 
Adams.  He  was  then  residing^  in  the  interior  of  Penn- 
sylvania,  and  wrote  on  public  affairs,  and  especially 
against  some  unpopular  measures.  For  this,  Dr. 
Cooper  was  arraigned  before  a  court  of  federalists, 
and  a  jury,  acting  under  the  famous  sedition  law\ 
He  was  fined  and  imprisoned.  After  that  period  Dr. 
Cooper  acted  with  the  dem.ocratic  party.  He  became 
the  President  of  the  South  Carolina  College  in  Co- 
lumbia, S.  C. 

There  W'Cre  at  this  time  in  Washington  three  daily 
papers  :  the  National  Intelligencer,  the  National  Jour- 
nal;, and  the  Washington  Telegraph.     The  first  had 


140        JOHN    QUINCY    ADxVMS'    ADMIXISTEATIOX. 

been  for  years  the  organ  of  the  administration,  and 
had  carried  in  its  train  its  influence  and  patronage, 
and  the  patronage  of  Congress.  The  Journal  was  a 
mere  echo  to  it,  and  both  presses  had  been  enlisted 
against  the  election  of  General  Jackson. 

A  very  bold  innovation  was  made  in  December, 
upon  the  rule  of  fashion.  "  The  famous  east  room  has 
been  thrown  open  and  the  dance  introduced.  This 
never  has  been  done  at  the  President's  levee  since 
the  close  of  the  last  war.  The  inauguration  ball  will 
be  a  tremendous  affair.  Last  Monday  Mrs.  Secretary 
Porter  gave  her  first  party.  Mrs.  Porter  is  charming, 
and  entirely  takes  the  lead  of  all  the  gay  contemipo- 
raries  of  the  day,  now  in  the  capital.  She  has  been 
the  possessor  of  great  personal  beauty,  and  is  remark- 
able for  an  air  of  dignity  with  which  her  fine  figure 
well  corresponds.  She  sustains  the  administration 
with  her  spirit,  her  cleverness,  and  her  versatile 
talents.  She  is  perfectly  acquainted  with  every  po- 
litical man,  and  Clay  himself  would  not  hesitate  to 
take  a  lesson  from  her  judgment.  Her  position  as 
one  of  the  most  popular  and  influential  of  the  court 
circle  at  Washington,  was  gained  by  her  noble,  sym- 
pathizing nature,  and  the  charm  of  a  naturalness  of 
manner,  which  set  others  at  ease  in  her  society.  In 
the  midst  of  Washington  gayeties  this  elegant  Mrs. 
Porter  said  she  had  chiefly  worn  for  a  whole  winter 
one  black  silk  dress — varying  cap  and  collar  to  suit 
different  occasions."  ^^'Mr.  Clay's  first  party  for  the 
season  was  held  last  night.  Heretofore  this  has  been 
considered  the  leading  soiree,  but  it  now  falls  back 
and  takes  its  position  behind  that  of  the  wife  of  the 


HABITS    OF   MR.    ADAMS.  141 

Secretary  of  War.  Mr.  Clay  says  he  is  very  much 
pleased  with  the  election  of  General  Jackson  :  it  has 
afforded  him  much  relief;  and  after  the  4th  of  March, 
he  mounts  his  horse,  crosses  the  mountains,  and  turns 
farmer  in  Kentucky.  Little  Wright,  of  Ohio,  it  is 
said,  is  to  be  called  to  the  bench  in  that  State.  Icha- 
bod  Bartlett,  of  Xew  Hampshire,  who  was  so  w^ell 
dressed  last  year  by  John  S.  Barbour,  has  cast  his 
eye  upon  Governor  Woodbury's  seat  in  the  Senate, 
if  the  latter  should  be  called  to  Jackson's  cabinet ; 
he  is  therefore  preparing  the  way  by  a  resignation  of 
his  present  seat.  The  English  embassy  is  going  to  give 
Mrs.  Adams  a  splendid  ball  on  New  Years'  evening." 
At  another  period  of  Mr.  Adams'  life,  an  observer 
wrote  of  him;  "Adams  was  accustomed,  when  Presi- 
dent, to  rise  early  every  morning  (his  habit  through 
life)  and  walk  from  the  President's  house  to  the  cap- 
itol,  around  the  capitol  square  and  back  again,  before 
breakfast;  a  distance  of  about  four  miles.  This  he 
did  occasionally  long  afterwards,  but  the  weakness 
consequent  upon  age  and  sickness,  compelled  him  to 
betake  himself  occasionally  to  a  carriage  —  a  very- 
plain  affair.  His  habits  w^are  regular  and  his  industry 
untiring.  No  event  occurred  that  he  did  not  note 
down  in  a  diary  kept  for  that  purpose.  He  was  thus 
prepared,  if  assailed,  with  facts  known  to  himself,  but 
perhaps  forgotten  or  imperfectly  remembered  by  his 
assailant.  He  had  the  appearance  of  great  frigidity; 
and  was  seldom  on  terms  of  familiarity  with  any;  but 
his  feelings  were  warm  and  excitable,  and  when  a 
member  of  the  House,  he  manifested  those  feelings: 
somewhat  too  frequently." 


142        JOHN    QUINCY    ADAMS'    ADMINISTRATION. 

The  issue  of  a  jeu  d'esprit  called  '^  The  Adams  Cat- 
echism, for  the  use  of  Noble  Families  and  Good  So- 
ciety," created  no  little  excitement  in  social  circles. 
The  sentiments  were  all  inferences  or  quotations  from 
the  writings  of  Mr.  John  Adams.  One  or  two  may 
serve  as  a  specimen  : 

"  There  is  not  in  the  whole  Roman  history  so  happy 
a  period  as  that  under  the  Kings."  "  By  Kings  and 
kingly  power  is  meant  the  executive  power  in  a  sin- 
gle person."  "Question  :  What  is  the  duty  of  a  ^prac- 
tised statesman?'  Answer:  Not  to  be  palsied  by  the 
w^ill  of  his  constituents." 

A  social  imbroglio  grew  out  of  some  remarks  by 
the  President's  son  at  a  drawing-room,  which  several 
ladies  chose  to  resent.  They  retreated  to  a  sofa  in 
an  adjoining  room,  and  requested  one  of  their  attend- 
ants to  call  their  carriage  immediately.  Mr.  Adams 
protected  his  son,  and  the  occasion  was  made  the 
ground  of  embittered  political  hostility.  The  news* 
papers  rang  w^ith  the  affair.  People  again  remem- 
bered the  equality  of  all  persons  in  Jefferson's  ad- 
ministration, and  that  the  same  principles  had  pre- 
vailed under  the  benignant  reign  of  Mrs.  Madison, 
continuing  their  influence  to  the  close  of  Monroe's 
Presidency. 


VII. 

JACKSON'S  ADMINISTEATIOX. 

Jackson's  Election  by  an  overpowering  Majority — Death  of  his  Wife — 
His  Inauguration — His  Cabinet — Scandal  about  Mrs.  Eaton — The 
Suitor  for  the  President's  Pipe — Conspicuous  Men — Ladies  of  the 
White  House — Webster's  Oratory  and  the  Farmers — Albert  Gallatin 
and  his  Compeers — Description  of  Georgetown — Excursion  to  Nor- 
folk— Fanny  W^right  as  a  Lecturer — Specific  to  change  Negroes  to 
white  Persons — Festivities  of  the  Capital — Jackson's  celebrated 
Toast  at  a  Dinner — Kefusal  of  the  Ladies  to  visit  Mrs.  Eaton — A 
Philadelphian  who  thought  the  Senate's  rising  was  in  Honor  of  him 
— Changes  in  the  Cabinet — Party  at  Pointdexter's — Descriptions 
and  Anecdotes  of  General  Jackson — Threatening  of  Nullification — 
Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Calhoun — Death  of  John  Randolph — His  Cbar- 

'  acter  and  last  Hours — Visit  of  the  Portuguese  Minister  to  the 
President. 

General  Jackson  was  brought  into  office  by  an 
overpowering  majority,  and  after  a  series  of  strong 
party  excitements.  The  man  of  the  people,  he  com- 
menced his  career  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
when  it  was  an  honor  and  a  pride  to  be  a  military 
chieftain.  He  was  appointed  by  Washington,  District 
Attorney  for  Tennessee,  and  afterwards  a  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court;  filling  with  credit  seats  in  the 
House  of  Eepresentatives  and  Senate  of  the  United 
States;  and  in  civil  stations  displaying  strength  of 
mind,  firmness,  and  intes-ritv,  ^nvino;  him  claims  to 
the  character  of  a  sound  and  able  statesman.     In  the 


144  Jackson's  admixisteation. 

<]ark  Lour  of  peril  to  tlic  countrj'  he  rendered  the 
most  valuable  services;  he  penetrated  the  wilderness, 
overcame  the  savage  allies  of  our  enemies,  and  con- 
summated the  great  work  by  the  memorable  battle 
of  New  Orleans.  No  man  but  Washington  ever  ren- 
dered more  important  services.  It  was  in  his  election 
that  the  old  Democratic  party  expected  to  achieve  its 
former  power,  union  and  triumph.  Pennsylvania,  that 
great  pillar  of  the  party,  was  firmly  devoted  to  him; 
Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and 
several  of  the  Western  States,  were  equally  firm; 
while  in  New  York  the  opposing  party  claimed  its 
head-quarters. 

Some  of  the  Nashville  ladies  were  secretly  pre- 
paring for  Mrs.  Jackson  a  magnificent  wardrobe,  to 
be  worn  at  the  White  House.  But  she  was  to 
wear  other  robes  before  the  accession  of  her  hus- 
band. Her  disease  had  been  aggravated  by  the 
cruel  aspersions  cast  on  her,  and  in  a  few  days  she 
died,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one.  The  bereaved  hus- 
band was  compelled  to  set  out  on  his  journey  to 
Washington  as  President  elect.  His  nephew  accom- 
panied him,  and  Mrs.  Donelson,  who  was  to  preside  in 
the  Executive  mansion,  assisted  by  a  beautiful  and 
accomplished  niece.  The  new  President  had  a  tri- 
umphal progress,  and  in  Washington  received  hun- 
dreds of  visitors  at  his  rooms  in  the  Indian  Queen 
tavern.  General  Jackson's  delicate  attention  to  Mrs. 
Adams,  and  his  request  that  she  would  use  the  Presi- 
dential mansion  as  long  as  she  chose,  were  noticed. 
It  was  thought  strange  that  Mr.  Adams  had  not  called 
on  the  President  elect  on  his  arrival  in  Washington. 


Jackson's  inauguration.  145 

A  point  of  etiquette  was  discussed  by  the  Adams 
leaders,  and  it  was  generally  allowed  that  as  far  as 
re2:arded  the  forms  of  society  and  its  conventional 
rules  of  etiquette  —  the  moment  the  votes  were 
counted  before  the  Senate  and  the  House,  the  Presi- 
dent elect  became  the  center  of  society.  It  thus  be- 
came the  duty  of  the  President  de  facto  to  call  and 
make  him  the  usual  compliments. 

The  Fourth  of  March,  1829,  was  ushered  in  by  a 
grand  national  salute,  and  between  ten  and  twelve 
the  hum  of  voices  and  the  din  of  life  pervaded  every 
avenue  of  the  metropolis,  the  concourse  of  citizens 
and  visitors  choking  the  way  to  the  capitol,  and 
universal  greetings  and  acclamations  cheering  the 
man  who  had  triumphed  over  the  arms  and  the 
hearts  of  his  enemies.  The  procession,  accompanied 
by  hundreds  of  carriages,  moved  slowly  to  the  senate 
chamber.  At  half-past  eleven  the  President  elect  was 
received  and  conducted  to  his  chair  in  the  senate 
room;  a  vacant  chair  being  set  for  the  ex-President; 
the  ministers  and  members  of  foreign  legations  were 
in  full  costume  on  the  left,  and  the  chairs  and  couches 
in  the  lobbies  resplendent  with  beauty  and  fashion. 
As  the  General  came  forth  between  the  columns  of 
the  portico,  all  hats  were  off  at  once,  and  the  dark 
tint  which  usually  pervades  a  mixed  mass  of  men, 
was  turned  into  the  bright  hue  of  ten  thousand  up- 
turned and  exultant  human  faces.  The  peal  of  shout- 
ing rent  the  air,  and  seemed  to  shake  the  very 
ground.  For  the  last  time,  Chief  Justice  Marshall 
administered  the  oath  of  Presidential  office.  The 
crowd  followed  the  President  from  the  capitol  to  the 


146  Jackson's  administration. 

White  House.  Judge  Story  said,  "  The  reign  of 
King  Mob  seemed  triumphant."  Orange  punch  had 
been  made  by  barrels  full,  and  as  the  waiters  opened 
the  door  to  bring  it  out,  a  rush  was  made,  the  glasses 
were  broken,  the  pails  of  liqueur  upset,  and  general 
confusion  prevailed.  Wine  and  ice-cream  could  not 
be  brought  out  to  the  ladies  till  tubs  of  punch  w^ere 
taken  from  the  lower  story  into  the  garden,  to  lead 
off  the  crowd  from  the  rooms.  It  w\as  mortifying  to 
see  men  with  boots  heavy  w^ith  mud,  standing  on 
the  satin-damask  covered  chairs  to  get  a  sight  of  the 
President. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State ; 
Samuel  D.  Ingham  of  Pennsylvania,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury;  John  II.  Eaton,  Senator  from  Tennessee, 
Secretary  of  War ;  John  Branch  of  North  Carolina, 
of  the  Navy ;  Mr.  Berrien  of  Georgia,  Attorney  Gen- 
eral; Major  William  T.  Barry  of  Kentucky,  Post- 
master-General. General  Duff.  Green  was  supposed 
to  have  considerable  influence  with  the  President; 
and  Amos  Kendall  was  taken  into  his  confidence  and 
began  his  long  official  career.  Major  Lewis,  and  Major 
Donelson  the  private  secretary,  were  of  importance  in 
Washington  society,  and  Colonel  Webb  of  New  York 
was  supposed  to  be  kept  advised  of  the  secrets  of  the 
White  House.  The  episode  of  Mrs.  Eaton,  and  the 
controversy  in  which  the  iron  will  of  General  Jack- 
son caiiie  into  conflict  with  the  obstinate  determina- 
tion of  the  fair  leaders  of  fashion  and  was  forced  to 
succumb,  are  well  known.  Major  Eaton  had  married 
Mrs.  Timberlake,  with  General  Jackson's  warm  ap- 
proval.    When  he  was  taken  into  the  cabmet,  the 


THE    PIPE  AND    THE    MISSION.  147 

ladies  of  the  other  members  were  alarmed  at  the 
prospect  of  having  to  receive  one  whose  name  was 
associated  with  scandal  into  their  charmed  circle. 
Major  Eaton  was  a  stout,  good-humored,  agreeable 
man,  extremely  easy  and  cordial  in  his  manners. 
His  wife  was*  said  to  be  a  strikingly  beautiful  and 
fascinating  woman,  all  grace  and  vivacity.  Her 
rooms  were  the  resort  of  the  ultra  partisans  of  Jack- 
son, and  from  the  General's  earnest  defence  of  her,  it 
was  supposed  that  her  fjivor  was  the  indispensable 
preliminary  to  preferment. 

A  confidential  clerk  of  Mr.  Van.  Buren's  illustrated 
his  diplomacy  by  mentioning  that  one  morning  when 
he  called,  he  found  him  writing,  and  w\as  presently 
told  to  read  the  letter  and  say  what  he  thought  of  it. 
"  I  will  tell  you  what  I  think,  Mr.  Van  Buren,"  he 
answered,  "  if  you  will  tell  me  what  it  is  about." 
"  Then  it  w^ill  do :  it  will  answer,"  said  the  Secretary, 
folding  the  letter. 

One  day  when  President  Jackson  was  smoking  in 
his  private  office,  a  member  of  Congress,  w^io  had  set 
his  heart  on  a  foreign  mission,  having  obtained  a  clue 
to  one  of  the  General's  w^eaknesses,  came  in  and 
begged  as  the  greatest  favor,  one  of  his  pipes  as  a 
relic  for  his  old  father  at  home.  The  General,  laugh- 
ino^,  rano;  the  bell  and  ordered  two  or  three  clean 
ones.  "Excuse  me,"  said  the  member,  "but  may  I 
ask  you  for  the  very  pipe  you  have  just  been  smok- 
ing I"  When  the  General  was  about  to  empty  it  of 
the  ashes,  he  w\as  again  interrupted  with  "  No,  Gen- 
eral, don't  throw-out  the  tobacco, I  want  the  pipe  just 
as  it  left  your  lips."     He  folded  it  carefully  in  paper. 


148  Jackson's  administratiox. 

thanked  the  giver,  and  left  the  room.  In  less  than  a 
month  he  started  on  his  mission,  and  "  it  was  that 
pipe  that  did  the  business  for  him." 

One  of  General  Jackson's  friends,  invited  to  dine 
with  him,  mentions  that  every  guest  was  provided 
with  two  forks ;  one  of  steel,  the  other  of  silver. 
The  President  adhered  to  the  primitive  metal. 

Postmaster-General  Barry  seemed  to  possess  extra- 
ordinary abilities,  active  business  habits  and  exact 
knowledire  of  men  and  thing's.  He  was  rather  above 
the  ordinary  stature,  but  thin  in  face  and  form.  With 
an  extremely  modest  deportment,  he  maintained 
stromj:  indications  of  enerirv.  His  voice  was  melo- 
dious,  and  his  conversation  fluent  and  to  the  point. 
He  was  called  a  great  orator.  Mrs.  Barry  was  frank, 
yet  lady-like,  free  from  affectation,  with  a  fine  per- 
son and  agreeable  manners.  Major-General  Macomb, 
lately  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  army,  while 
Generals  Gaines  and  Scott  were  his  competitors,  was 
young  in  appearance,  and  frank  and  unreserved  in 
manner.  He  seemed  disposed  to  yield  to  others 
rather  than  assume  any  superiority  in  consequence 
of  his  high  military  rank,  modestly  waiting  for  any 
place  at  the  table,  or  in  the  train  of  the  President. 
Majors  Donelson  and  Hays,  nephews  of  the  Presi' 
dent,  were  good-looking,  stout  young  men,  above  the 
ordinary  height,  and  well-proportioned,  with  manly 
and  modest  deportment;  just  such  men  as  General 
Jackson  might  be  supposed  to  attach  to  his  per- 
son. Major  Donelson  was  named  Andrew  Jackson, 
after  the  President.  Mrs.  Donelson  was  beautiful, 
dignified,  and  very  gracious  in  demeanor.     Her  only 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  149 

son,  a  lovely  boy  of  three  years  old,  was  the  pet  of 
his  uncle  the  President.  Indeed  all  the  children  re- 
ceived the  notice  of  the  Chief  Magistrate ;  even  the 
little  barefooted  boys  had  cause  to  know  his  regard 
for  children. 

Miss  Eustice,  a  niece  of  the  President,  was  admired 
for  her  unaffected  and  easy  deportment.  The  two 
Commodores  Rodgers  and  Warrington  were  excel- 
lent specimens  of  navy  officers;  both  possessing  that 
sound  judgment  and  good  common  sense  notion  of 
things  which  mark  the  practical  man.  General  Gib- 
son, an  old  companion  in  arms  of  General  Jackson, 
should  not  be  passed  unnoticed.  He  w^as  one  of  the 
modest,  discreet,  sensible  men,  who,  without  much 
parade,  think  deeply  and  do  a  great  deal.  He  was  a 
universal  favorite,  especially  Avith  the  ladies.  Young 
Van  Buren,  the  son  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  was 
described  as  having  a  youthful  and  manly  appear- 
ance that  gave  great  interest  to  his  situation,  and  as 
possessing  extensive  and  varied  knowledge.  There 
was  nothing  supercilious  about  him;  but  on  the  con- 
trary a  modesty  becoming  his  years,  and  an  intelli- 
gence beyond  the  ordinary  acquirements  of  young 
men.  Mrs.  Jackson  was  the  wife  of  the  General's 
adopted  son  and  private  secretary,  and  a  very  pretty 
woman,  but  seemed  to  prefer  the  tranquilhty  of 
domestic  life  to  the  glare  and  splendor  of  official 
rank.  The  idea  was  unfounded  that  any  jealousy 
existed  between  her  and  Mrs.  Donelson  in  relation 
to  the  favor  of  the  President. 

Mr.  Monroe  died  in  the  first  term  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  President  Jackson.     Chief  Justice  Marshall 
10 


150  Jackson's  administration. 

died  in  Philadelphia  in  July,  1835,  having  been  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Suj^reme  Court  of  the  United  States 
thirty-five  years;  presiding,  as  liandolph  said  "with 
native  dignity  and  unpretending  grace."  He  had 
solid  judgment  and  gueat  reasoning  powers  ;  an  acute 
and  penetrating  mind,  with  manners  and  habits  to 
suit  the  purity  and  sanctity  of  the  ermine.  Seen  by 
a  stranger,  he  would  be  taken  for  a  modest  country 
gentleman,  ready  to  take  the  lowest  place  in  com- 
pany; closely  observed,  he  would  be  seen  to  be  a  gen- 
tleman of  finished  breeding  and  winning  conversation. 
William  B.  Giles  of  Yiro-inia  also  died  durin^r  Jack- 
son's  Presidency.  He  was  esteemed  by  Randolph 
the  Charles  Fox  of  our  House  of  Representatives : 
the  most  accomplished  debater  in  the  country.  Ma- 
con was  wise,  Randolph  brilliant,  Gallatin  and  Madi- 
son able  in  argument :  Giles  was  the  ready  champion, 
always  ripe  for  the  combat.  He  was  a  gentleman  in 
manner  and  heart,  and  intimate  with  all  the  eminent 
men  of  his  day.  Describing  the  three  great  Senators 
in  Jackson's  Presidency,  Mr.  Goodrich  said  :  '-  They 
were  all  of  remarkable  personal  appearance :  Webster 
of  massive  form,  dark  complexion,  and  thoughtful, 
solemn  countenance :  Clay  tall,  of  rather  slight  frame, 
but  keen,  flexible  features,  and  singular  ease  and  free- 
dom in  his  attitudes,  walk  and  gestures  :  Calhoun  tall, 
erect,  and  rigid  in  form,  his  eyes  grayish  blue,  and 
flashing  from  beneath  a  brow  at  once  imperious  and 
scornful.  Clay,  Calhoun  and  Pinkney,  King,  Dwight 
and  Daggett,  stand  as  high  examples  of  personal  en- 
dowment in  our  annals ;  yet  not  one  approached  Mr. 
Webster  in  the  commanding  power  of  their  personal 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  151 

presence.  There  was  a  grandeur  in  his  form,  an  in- 
telligence in  his  deep,  dark  eye,  a  loftiness  in  his  ex- 
pansive brow,  a  significance  in  his  arched  lip,  beyond 
those  of  any  other  human  being  I  ever  saw."  Two 
old  farmers,  who  listened  to  an  oration  by  Webster, 
sat  with  their  mouths  open  from  beginning  to  end. 
When  it  was  over,  they  rose,  and  drawing  a  long 
breath,  one  said  to  the  other :  "  Well,  that  was  good ; 
every  word  seemed  to  weigh  a  pound ! " 

Others  were  grouped  as  "John  Taylor  of  Caroline, 
an  able  Virginian  statesman,  the  personification  of 
old-fashioned  dignity  and  courtesy ;  Albert  Gallatin, 
a  dark,  swarthy  man,  whose  eye  seemed  to  penetrate 
the  souls  of  all  who  approached  him ;  Henry  R. 
Storrs,  one  of  the  ablest  debaters  of  his  day ;  General 
Hayne,  the  gallant  jouster  wdth  Mr.  Webster ;  Bur- 
gess of  Rhode  Island,  a  man  of  prodigious  powers  of 
sarcasm,  who  made  even  John  Randolph  quail ;  Silas 
Wright  of  Xew  York,  ever  courteous,  ever  smiling — 
a  giant  in  strength,  conquering  his  antagonists  with 
such  good  humor  as  to  reconcile  them  to  defeat." 

Mr.  Goodrich  dining  with  Mr.  Forsyth,  met  Mr. 
Benton,  Isaac  Hill,  John  M.  Niles,  and  others.  After 
the  ladies  had  retired  to  the  parlor,  some  of  the  gen- 
tlemen lingered  at  the  table.  Mr.  Forsyth  was  in 
the  parlor,  receiving  them  as  they  came  from  the  din- 
ing-room. Benton,  Hill  and  Niles,  came  at  last;  Hil], 
who  was  lame,  said  good-night  and  went  to  the  door; 
Benton,  an  old  courtier,  paid  his  respects  to  the 
ladies,  beginning  with  Mrs.  Meigs,  the  mother  of 
Mr.  Forsyth :  Niles,  in  approaching  the  ladies,  was 
seized  with  a  panic  of  bashfulness.     Pulling  out  a  red 


152  Jackson's  administration. 

bandanna  handkerchief,  he  gave  a  loud  blast  upon  his 
nose,  shot  out  of  the  door,  and  effected  his  retreat. 

In  Mav,  1820,  the  lion.  Louis  McLane  was  in 
Washington,  preparing  to  proceed  to  England.  Hit? 
daughter  came  with  him,  to  remain  with  the  ladies  of 
the  President's  ilimily.  Mr.  James  A.  Hamilton  was 
performing  the  duties  of  Under  Secretary  of  State,  or 
rather  Chief  Clerk  of  the  State  Department.  Wash- 
ington Irving  was  very  intimate  in  the  family  of  Mr. 
McLane,  and  sent  messages  to  the  minister's  wife 
so  frequently,  that  an  idea  of  her  elevated  character 
may  be  formed  from  his  expressions  of  regard  and 
admiration. 

Mrs.  Louis  McLane  was  the  daughter  of  Ilobert 
Milligan,  and  married  the  son  of  Allan  McLane,  of 
Delaware,  in  1812.  After  being  sent  as  minister  to 
England  in  1820,  he  had  charge  of  the  Treasury  and 
State  Departments.  One  of  their  daughters  married 
General  Joseph  Johnson;  another  the  grandson  of 
Alexander  Hamilton. 

Neither  Yan  Buren  nor  the  President  had  ever  been 
placed  in  situations  where  they  could  have  made 
themselves  familiar  with  all  the  papers  belonghig  to 
the  Department  of  State,  and  the  details  of  business 
connected  with  our  foreign  relations.  It  had  been 
different  with  other  Presidents.  Washington  liad  Mr. 
Jefferson,  who  began  his  political  career  with  the  com- 
mencement of  all  our  republican  institutions.  He 
had  helped  to  frame  the  constitution,  and  had  been  a 
foreign  minister  shortly  after  :t  went  into  operation. 
Jefferson  was  made  President  after  being  thus  drilled 
in  all  our  foreign  affairs.     He  was  familiar  with  the 


THKEE    TRESIDEXTS    IN"    WASHIXCTOX.  153 

business  of  the  Department  of  State  and  with  our 
foreign  relations.  He  selected  Mr.  Madison,  who  had 
the  same  famiHarity  with  both  home  and  foreign  af- 
fairs. Madison  selected  Mr.  Monroe,  who  had  also 
been  a  foreign  minister.  Mr.  Monroe  chose  Mr. 
Adams,  who  had  been  a  foreign  minister  for  a  long 
time.  After  serving  eight  years  in  the  Department 
of  State  he  was  made  President.  He  selected  Mr. 
Cla}^,  to  whom  he  could  impart  his  knowledge  of  the 
papers  and  the  details  of  the  office.  The  first  two 
Presidents  had  assisted  in  laying  the  foundation  of 
the  Eepublic.  The  four  following  ones  had  all  served 
in  the  Department  of  State  and  could  render  any 
assistance  to  a  newly  appointed  minister.  General 
Jackson  only  had  not  the  advantage  of  familiarity 
with  offices.  Besides  this,  Mr.  Yan  Buren  had  to  fit 
out  more  foreign  ministers,  than  any  Secretary  of 
State  had  ever  done  in  the  same  time.  He  had  to 
furnish  three  or  four  w^ith  instructions  on  most  im- 
portant subjects.  His  proving  himself  equal  to  the 
great  occasion,  tested  his  character,  and  his  fertility 
in  resources. 

In  January,  1830,  there  vrere  three  Presidents  of 
the  United  States  at  Washington — Monroe,  Adams 
and  Jackson.  Mr.  Adams  had  taken  up  his  residence 
there  on  account  of  the  mildness  of  the  climate  and 
the  ill  health  of  some  of  his  family.  Mr.  Monroe  was 
on  his  way  home  from  the  Virginia  Convention,  full 
of  years,  sorrow  and  disease. 

'*  Who  that  has  ever  visited  Georgetown,  our  sister 
city,  has  not  admired  the  beauty  of  her  situation ! 
Sailing  up  the  majestic  Potomac,  the  town  is  pre- 


154  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATIOX. 

sentecl  to  you  on  the  north,  rising  hill  over  hill,  and 
displaying  the  extended  rows  of  streets,  and  further 
on  the  beautiful  moss-covered  grounds  and  variegated 
foliage  that  enclose  its  rear ;  the  seventh  and  highest 
hill  crowning  the  amphitheatre  around  the  town. 
Approaching  by  the  Fredericktown  road,  the  town 
appears  compact  below,  the  Potomac  seen  for  ten  or 
twelve  miles.  In  a  further  range  the  eye  takes  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  with  the  White  House,  the  Capi- 
tol, and  the  public  buildings  on  one  side  of  the  river, 
and  Alexandria  on  the  other,  about  seven  miles  be- 
low. The  setting  sun  shining  on  the  windows  of 
Georgetown,  gives  it  the  effect  of  an  illuminated  city." 

In  July,  the  President  went  with  a  party  to  Nor- 
folk. There  were  his  private  secretaries.  Majors  Don- 
elson  and  Hays,  Mrs.  Donelson  and  Miss  Eaton,  the 
Secretary  of  War  and  his  wife,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  and  his  daughters,  the  Misses  Branch,  the  Post- 
master-General and  his  w  ife,  Major-General  Macomb 
and  his  daughter.  Lieutenant  A^an  Buren,  aid-de-camp 
to  General  Macomb,  General  Bernard  of  the  Board  of 
Ensrineers,  Commodores  Rodo^ers  and  Warrin<j:ton  of 
the  board  of  Navy  Commissioners,  and  others,  in  all 
about  fifty.  The  steamer  took  the  party  down  the 
Potomac  to  Alexandria,  where  crowds  on  the  wharf 
saluted  them ;  cannons  w^ere  fired  from  the  ships  and 
the  artillery  companies  saluted  from  the  head  of  the 
docks. 

After  a  reception  of  visitors  at  the  landing,  the 
vessel  proceeded  to  Fort  Washington,  a  fortification 
opposite  Mount  Vernon;  the  commandant.  Major 
Mason,  received  the  President  with  due  honors,  and 


MISS    FAXNY    WRIGHT.  155 

conducted  the  party  into  the  Fort.  The  ladies  were 
entertained  by  Mrs.  Mason  and  the  wives  of  the 
other  officers.  The  party  proceeded  to  Old  Point 
Comfort,  where  they  landed  the  next  afternoon. 
Colonel  House,  the  commandant  of  Fortress  Monroe, 
came  with  other  officers  to  welcome  them.  The  con- 
course of  visitors  was  very  great,  and  the  display  of 
fireworks  very  entertaining.  Hon.  Mr.  Branch — 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy — was  tall  and  well-pro- 
portioned, graceful  in  his  gestures  and  afflible  and 
kindly  in  his  manners.  His  daughters  possessed  a 
full  share  of  beauty  and  accomplishments,  with  re- 
tiring modesty. 

Miss  Fanny  Wright,  about  this  time,  had  attracted 
much  public  attention  by  her  lectures,  given  in  the 
principal  cities.  She  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the 
most  singular  women  of  the  age.  Possessing  intel- 
lectual powers  of  the  first  order,  and  fervid  eloquence, 
undaunted  in  the  advocacy  of  her  views,  and  reckless 
of  public  opinion,  in  an  ignorant  age  she  might  have 
stirred  up  disturbance,  and  shaken  society  to  its 
foundation.  Among  the  warm  admirers  of  her  elo- 
quence were  Ming,  Blatchley,  Tom  Skidmore  and 
other  originators  of  the  "  Military  Hall"  party.  Thej- 
took  advantage  of  the  excitement  produced  by  her 
lectures  to  avow  their  own  bold  principles.  A  scien- 
tific quack  issued  an  advertisement  to  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  of  color,  offering  to  them  a  newly  invented 
chemical  agent,  warranted  to  wash  them  white  in  six 
hours.  Dinah,  one  of  Miss  "Wright's  favorite  disciples, 
exclaimed,  on  hearing  of  it,  ^*  Guy,  massa,  spose  ebery- 
body's  skin  white  as  yellowbaster,  what  den !     Guy, 


156  Jackson's  admixistratiox. 

massa,  Massa  Wilberforce  and  dc  pliillanthreefists  no 
care  one  cent  about  ns  after  dat.  Hali !  wc  all  no 
better  dan  do  white  people  den!"  The  followhii^ 
extract  is  from  a  private  manuscript  letter : — 

"Washington,  Feb.  18tL,  1S30. 

....**  The  22d  comes  next  Monday.  "Wonderful  preparations  arc 
making  :  the  theatre  to  be  converted  iato  a  spacious  ball-room,  and  most 
beautifully  ornamented ;  the  upper  row  of  boxes  to  be  enclosed  as  a 
supper-room,  &c. ;  tickets  five  dollars.  There  arc  two  other  balls  on 
the  same  evening ;  one  at  Carusi's  at  one  dollar  per  head,  and  another 
at  the  Masonic  Hall.  General  Harrison  arrived  hero  last  Friday. 
Colonel  Torrens  is  expected  in  a  day  or  two.  You  know  they  say  ho 
is  engaged  to  Miss  Yail.  Expectation  waits  on  tip-toe  the  result  of 
their  meeting.  What  a  loss  she  would  be  to  Washington,  she  being 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  of  our  ladies  I 

*'  We  are  almost  destitute  of  beaux  this  winter.  Our  neighbor,  the 
Baron,  and  his  secretary,  seem  to  be  among  the  most  highly  esteemed. 
There  were  parties  every  evening  last  week.  At  Mrs,  Dickens' 
on  Monday  evening ;  she  has  Miss  Bainbridge  passing  the  winter 
with  her.  At  Lieutenant  Williams'  on  Tuesday  evening.  In  that 
very  small  house  next  Lieutenant  Turnbull's,  they  gave  five  hundred 
invitations.  On  Wednesday  evening  Madame  Huygens  appeared  in 
all  her  glory  in  a  very  full,  light-colored  silk  dress,  a  very  broad  blonde 
flounce  around  the  bottom,  and  an  immensely  high  and  broad  head- 
dress, composed  of  blonde,  feathers  and  flowers.  The  new  Mexican 
minister  made  his  first  appearance  there,  accompanied  by  the  Secretary 
of  Legation  and  Mr.  Bivafinoli,  decked  out  in  all  his  orders.  Mrs. 
O'SuUivan  was  also  there,  looking  sweetly  amiable  upon  all  wlio  ap- 
])roached  her.  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  very  attentive  to  her,  as,  I  believe, 
lie  always  is.  Miss  Temple  and  Miss  Duer  seemed  the  reigning  stars 
of  the  evening.  Waltzing  is  getting  more  in  vogue  every  day.  .  .  . 
Mrs.  White  of  Florida,  ho  (Mr.  Harding),  has  taken  in  a  royal  pur- 
ple velvet  mantle  trimmed  with  fur ;  it  is  very  pretty,  but  wants  her 
intellectual  expression. 

'*  Feb.  28th. — Last  evening  I  made  my  first  appearance  in  the  world 
of  fashion.  "We  went  first  to  a  small  party  at  Mrs.  llu.sh's ;  found  her 
created  at  the  tea-table,  which  was  spread  with  a  variety  of  silver  articles 


PARTIES    AND    DRESSES.  157 

and  some  very  beautiful  china.  One  of  the  most  conspicuous  guests 
was  Mr.  Rivafinoli,  an  ItaUan  by  birth ;  but  having  resided  in  almost 
every  other  country,  he  seems  to  have  acquired  a  little  manner  from 
eaca.  lie  is  engaged  here  to  examine  the  country  about  Fredericks- 
burg, and  work  the  gold  mine  there.  At  nine  o'clock  we  went  to  Baron 
Krudener's  little  party.  AVe  were  received  in  the  front  parlor  down 
stairs,  and  danced  in  the  back  room,  and  in  the  little  portico  we  had  a 
very  neat  supper.  The  Kerrs  and  Munroes  were  there.  There  were  two 
brides — Mrs.  Augustus  Pleasanton  (a  runaway  match,  she  being  a  rich 
heiress  from  Philadelphia)  and  Mrs.  Ilays.  .  .  .  The  Baron  danced 
r.  cotillion  with  Mrs.  Commodore  Stewart's  little  daughter.  Mr.  Kreh- 
mor  was  out  of  spirits,  perhaps  because  Miss  Duer  did  not  arrive 
until  after  ten  o'clock,  she  having  just  returned  from  a  dinner  party 
at  Mr.  Calvert's.  Miss  Silsbee  wore  a  yellow  satin  dress,  trimmed 
around  the  bottom  with  two  rows  of  old-fashioned  black  lace,  such  as 
our  grandmothers  wore  in  times  of  old ;  then  there  was  a  row  of  the 
same  around  her  belt,  her  sleeves  and  the  neck  of  the  dress.  Mrs. 
Silsbee  had  a  white  muslin  dress,  white  satin  bodice  with  a  very  low 
point  before,  and  a  large  white  satin  cape  close  around  the  throat  and 
falling  over  the  shoulders.     There  is  a  great  dearth  of  beaux. 

"  March  7th. —  ....  "Wo  had  a  large  dinner-party  yesterday. 
Come  of  your  friends  were  here,  such  as  Mr.  Yaughan,  Barons  Kru- 
dener  and  Stackelberg,  Count  de  Menou,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  IMr.  Bush, 
President  Adams,  &c.  Mr.  Van  Buren  had  an  immensely  crowded 
house  at  his  ball  on  Friday  evening.  Miss  Fasten  made  her  first 
appearance  there,  having  been  in  mourning  all  winter.  The  Secretary 
of  War  and  lady  were  there.  They  were  also  at  Mr.  Vaughan's  ball 
last  Monday.  I  have  never  yet  met  with  her  this  winter ;  Count  de 
Menou  told  me  that  he  sliould  not  invite  her.  He  has  given  verbal 
invitations  for  Tuesday  evening. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Mr.  Alexander's  having  been  ofFjred  five 
hundred  dollars  for  your  picture  by  a  young  gentleman,  who  promised 
never  to  divulge  the  secret  that  he  had  it  in  his  possession  !  He  said 
he  would  liave  a  case  made  for  it  with  a  strong  lock  and  key,  and  no 
one  should  ever  suspect  that  he  had  it.     Mr.  A.  refused  most  decidedly. 

"Julia  M.  D.  T." 

It  had  been  a  custom  in  Washington  for  t\yenty 
years  to  celebrate  the  birthday  of  Thomas  Jefferson 


158 

— April  13, — as  the  apostle  of  Democracy.  General 
Jackson  being  regarded  by  his  party  as  the  great 
restorer  and  exemplifier  of  Jefferson's  principles,  it 
was  desired  to  celebrate  the  festival  in  1830  with 
more  than  usual  eclat.  The  President,  Vice-President^ 
Cabinet,  and  many  leading  men  were  invited  to  a 
grand  banquet.  It  was  a  subscription  dinner.  Gen- 
eral Jackson  gave  a  volunteer  toast  that  electrified 
the  countr}^  and  became  historical:  "Our  Federal 
Union :  it  must  be  preserved."  This  sentiment  was 
received  by  the  public  as  a  proclamation  from  the 
President  to  announce  a  plot  against  the  Union  and 
summon  the  people  to  its  defence. 

Notwithstanding  the  President's  vindication  of  Mrs. 
Eaton,  the  ladies  of  Washington  refused  to  receive  or 
visit  her.  Mrs.  Donelson  braved  her  uncle's  anger, 
and  was  sent  back  to  Tennessee,  with  her  husband, 
for  her  contumac}'  ;  not  returning  for  six  months. 
Mr.  Van  Buren,  a  widower,  who  had  no  daughters, 
called  on  Mrs.  Eaton,  and  made  parties  for  her.  He 
induced  Mr.  Vaughan,  the  British  minister,  and  Baron 
Krudener,  the  Russian  minister — both  bachelors — to 
do  the  same,  and  she  occupied  the  post  of  honor  at 
the  President's  side,  at  a  grand  dinner  given  in  the 
palace.  But  all  availed  nothing ;  the  female  leaders 
of  the  ton  were  inflexible  ;  their  opposition  rent  so- 
ciety into  sets,  introduced  discord  into  the  cabinet, 
and  finally  led  to  its  dissolution. 

Mr.  Francis  P.  Blair  of  Kentucky  was  engaged  to 
edit  a  paper  which  should  be  the  government  organ. 
He  w\as  slight  in  person,  retiring  and  quiet  in  manner 
and   amiable   in   character.     When   he   first   came    to 


INTRODUCTION"    OF    MR.    BLAIR.  loO 

Washington  in  obedience  to  the  summons,  he  Avas 
almost  moneyless,  with  only  a  frock  coat,  and  had  a 
great  gash  on  the  side  of  his  head  from  an  overset  in 
the  road.  Going  to  dine  with  the  President,  he  found 
a  company  of  ambassadors  and  other  high  function- 
aries, superbly  dressed,  in  the  east  room.  "  The  tails 
of  his  uncomfortable  frock  coat  hung  heavily  upon 
the  stranger,  who  shrunk  into  a  corner  abashed.  The 
President  sought  him  out,  placed  him  at  his  right 
hand,  and  completely  won  his  heart.  Thus  sprang 
the  Globe  into  existence." 

On  May,  1830,  a  soi-disant  leader  in  the  fashionable 
world  went  to  Washino;ton.  He  wished  to  see  the 
vSenate,  and  made  his  entrance  at  the  side  door,  at 
the  very  moment  the  full,  rapid  tones  of  the  Vice- 
President  were  heard — saying:  "The  Senators  in 
favor  of  the  motion  will  please  to  rise." 

Half  the  Senate  rose  as  the  man  of  fashion  was 
entering.  "Gentlemen"  he  cried — "pray  don't  rise! 
do  be  seated."  Again  rose  the  voice  of  the  Vice- 
President,  putting  the  negative  of  the  question. 
The  other  portion  of  the  Senate  rose.  This  mark 
of  condescension  overwhelmed  the  leader  of  the  ton. 
"Why,  really,  gentlemen,"  he  said,  "you  do  me  too 
much  honor;  let  me  beg  you  to  be  seated."  When 
he  returned  to  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  he  told 
his  friends  that  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  was 
composed  of  the  politest  gentlemen  he  had  ever  seen. 

At  the  time  of  General  Jackson's  election,  four  gen* 
tlemen  who  stood  preeminent  in  the  political  ranks, 
were  indicated  for  the  succession  :  Clay  and  Webster, 
Calhoun  and  Van  Buren  :  the  first  two  political  op- 


IGO  Jackson's  administj^ation, 

ponents  of  the  General;  the  two  latter  his  friends. 
Van  Buren  retired  from  the  cabinet,  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  minister  to  London,  and  immediately 
left  the  United  States.  On  the  evening  of  the  day 
when  the  news  of  his  rejection  as  minister  was  her- 
alded, in  London,  he  was  at  a  party  at  Prince  Tal- 
leyrand's, the  representative  of  the  new  King  Louis 
Philippe.  He  received  distinguished  attentions ;  ap- 
parently gave  himself  no  trouble  about  what  had  hap- 
pened ;  came  home,  was  taken  up  by  the  people  and 
elected  successively  Vice-President  and  President. 

The  changes  in  the  cabinet  took  place  in  1831. 
Edward  Livingston  of  Louisiana  agreed  to  accept  the 
post  of  Secretary  of  State.  Louis  McLane  was  re- 
called from  England  for  the  Treasury ;  Judge  White 
of  Tennessee  was  selected  for  Major  Eaton's  place; 
and  Mr.  Levi  Woodbury  was  to  be  Secretary  of  the 
Navy.  Judge  White  declined  the  post  offered  him ; 
and  a  new  man  was  summoned  to  the  councils,  Lewis 
Cass,  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  who  be- 
came Secretary  of  W^ar.  Roger  B.  Taney  was  made 
Attorney  General. 

The  session  commencing  in  1831  was  the  great  one 
of  Jackson's  administration,  and  the  most  exciting 
and  important  one  held  since  the  earliest  years  of 
the  Republic.  Mr.  Parton  says  truly  that  illustrious 
names,  great  debates,  extraordinary  incidents,  momen- 
tous measures,  combined  to  render  it  memorable. 

General  Jackson's  hospitality  at  Washington  was 
as  liberal  as  it  had  been  at  the  Hermitage,  though  it 
compelled  him  to  eke  out  his  salary  by  drawing  on 
his  farm  proceeds,  and  to  pay  for  many  dinners  with 


DESCRIPTION  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON.     161 

his  cotton  crop.  An  English  -svrltcr  described  him  as 
tall^  bony  and  thin,  with  erect  military  bearing,  and 
"a  gamecock-look  all  over  him."  Energy  marked  the 
lines  of  his  face,  and  he  had  a  penetrating  and  sage 
look.  '^  His  eye  is  of  a  dangerous  fixedness,  deep-set, 
and  overhung  by  bushy  gray  eyebrows ;  his  features 
are  long,  with  strong,  ridgy  lines  running  through 
his  cheeks ;  his  forehead  is  seamed,  and  his  white 
hair,  stiff  and  wiry,  brushed  obstinately  back,  and 
worn  with  an  expression  of  bristling  bayonets.  In 
his  mouth  there  is  a  redeeming  suavity  when  he 
speaks;  but  the  instant  his  lips  close,  a  vizor  of  steel 
would  scarcely  look  more  impenetrable.  His  man- 
ners are  dignified,  and  have  been  called  high-bred  and 
aristocratic  by  travelers ;  they  are  the  model  of  re- 
publican simplicity  and  straightforwardness." 

Nicholas  P.  Trist  of  Yirginia,  who  had  married  one 
of  Jefferson's  grand-daughters,  was  at  one  time  Gen- 
eral Jackson's  secretary,  and  much  attached  to  him. 
Mr.  Buchanan  used  to  relate  how  a  daughter  of 
Charles  Carroll,  returning  from  a  residence  in  Eng- 
land, where  she  was  admitted  into  the  circles  of  the 
highest  aristocracy,  called  on  President  Jackson  at 
an  hour  he  had  appointed.  Going  a  few  minutes  be- 
fore, Mr.  Buchanan  found  the  President  at  work  in 
his  office,  and  not  dressed  or  shaved.  He  reminded 
him  of  the  expjected  visit ;  the  General  retorted  by 
saying  he  "  once  heard  tell  of  a  man  in  Tennessee, 
who  made  a  fortune  by  minding  his  own  business!" 
He  then  left  the  room,  and  in  a  few  minutes  walked 
into  the  parlor  as  neat  in  appearance  as  if  he  had 
passed  hours  at  the  toilet 


162  Jackson's  administration". 

The  storm  of  Nullification  threatened  the  Union. 
A  letter  dated  January,  1833,  says,  at  Washington, 
^•Dark  and  portentous  are  the  clouds  which  over- 
shadow our  land.  Deep  and  settled  anxiety  is  de- 
picted in  the  countenance  of  every  thinking  man. 
To-morrow  Congress  will  be  called  upon  by  a  report 
from  the  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  Senate  to  sur- 
render to  General  Jackson  the  use,  at  his  discretion, 
of  all  the  civil,  naval  and  military  force  of  the  nation."* 

The  coalition  formed  between  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr. 
Calhoun  in  1833  was  pronounced  by  Benton  "  only  a 
hollow  truce,"  and  kept  alive  by  their  mutual  interest. 
The  rupture  took  place  in  a  few  years,  in  open  Sen- 
ate; and  it  became  a  question  between  them  which, 
wuth  respect  to  General  Jackson  and  Mr.  Yan  Buren, 
had  the  upper  hand  of  the  other.  Mr.  Calhoun  de- 
clared he  had  Mr.  Clay  down  on  his  back;  that  he 
was  his  master.  Mr.  Clay  retorted,  "He  my  master! 
I  would  not  ow^ii  him  for  the  meanest  of  my  slaves." 

A  newspaper  correspondent  thus  gives  ajeu  (Tesprit,  wliich  he  designs  to  be 
significant  of  tendencies  at  the  capital  at  this  crisis  : — 

"  I  know  that  Mr.  Webster  dir.cd  the  other  day  at  tlie  VHiite  House,  in 
company  with  Isaac  Hill,  and  that  the  dishes  were  so  cooked  in  the  French 
style  that  neither  the  great  man  from  tlic  Bay  State  nor  the  great  man  from 
the  Granite  State  could  eat  much.  I  argue  from  all  this  that  the  coalition 
between  President  Jackson  and  Mr.  Wel^ster  is  perfect.  Indeed,  Mr.  W.  sat 
by  (Jcneral  Jackson  at  table,  and  they  conversed  confidentially !  The  other 
day  I  saw  Mr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Clay  shake  liands  and  smile  complacently  upon 
each  otiier;  from  which  I  have  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Calhoun  is  trying  to  con- 
ciliate Mr.  Clay,  and  bring  him  over  to  a  coalition,  and  the  South  and  the 
West  against  the  North  and  New  England.  I  know  that  Edward  Everett,  the 
other  evening,  went  to  the  theatre  to  see  Miss  Fanny  Kemble,  and  that  Mr. 
Livingston  stood  up  in  the  pit  almost  the  whole  evening.  I  know  that  ^Ir- 
Bankhead  asked  Mr.  Clay  and  the  Kemblcs  to  dine  with  him,  and  that  Mr. 
Clay  was  wonderfully  pleased  with  Miss  Kemble.  I  suspected  from  all  this 
that  Mr.  Bankhead  was  about  to  l)ril;e  Mr.  Clay  to  surrender  the  American 
system  to  British  interests ;    and  as  Mr.  Clay  was  at  this  moment  a  disap« 


DEATH  OF  RAXDOLPH.  163 

The  so-called  "  Compromise  "  designed  for  the  relief 
of  both,  was  managed  by  outside  politicians. 

John  Randolph  of  Roanoke  died  at  Philadelphia  in 
the  summer  of  1833.  It  was  in  that  city  that  he  had 
commenced  his  brilliant  parliamentary  career,  under 
the  first  ^Vdams.  For  more  than  thirty  years  he  had 
been  the  political  meteor  of  Congress,  blazing  with 
splendor  undiminished.  After  a  flow  of  wit  and 
classic  allusion  for  hours  at  a  time,  a  friend  remarked: 
"He  has  wasted  intellectual  jewehy  enough  here  this 
evening  to  equip  many  speakers  for  great  orations." 
After  his  return  from  the  Russian  mission,  and  when 
he  was  in  full  view  of  death,  a  friend  heard  him  read 
the  chapter  in  the  Revelations  on  the  opening  of  the 
seals,  with  great  power  and  beauty  of  voice  and  de- 
livery, and  depth  of  pathos.  At  the  opening  of  the 
sixth  seal,  he  stopped ;  laid  the  book  open  on  his 
breast  as  he  lay  on  his  bed,  and  began  a  discourse  on 
the  beauty  and  sublimit}^  of  the  Scriptural  writings. 

pointed  politician,  lie  imagined  a  dinner  might  bring  him  over,  or,  if  not,  tliat 
JBritisli  gold  could  be  added.  I  know  that  Mr.  McDuffie  wears  an  outer  gar- 
ment not  so  elegant  as  it  might  be.  I  know  that  at  M.  Scrrurier's  party  Mr. 
Webster  carried  on  a  long  flirtation  in  a  cluster  of  young  ladies.  I  know  that 
Washington  Irving  is  here  somewhere,  but  none  of  us  will  ever  find  him  out. 
I  know  that  John  Quincy  Adams  and  Kenry  Clay  talked  together  an  hour 
the  other  day,  very  earnestly,  from  which  I  infer  that  great  mischief  is  brew- 
ing. I  know  that  Mr.  Livingston  gives  elegant  dinners,  and  that  his  wines 
are  the  best  in  the  city.  I  know  that  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  very  fast  walker  and 
a  very  fast  talker;  few  can  keep  up  with  him,  either  in  the  one  or  the 
other.  I  know  that  Mr.  Ward  is  the  chief  beau  in  Congress,  and  is  a  great 
favorite  with  the  ladies.  I  know  that  Senator  Benton  and  Editor  Blair 
walked  together  up  to  the  Capitol  the  other  day,  and  that  both  talked  very 
earnestly  about  something.  I  know  that  Mr.  Pointdextcr  drives  in  fine  style 
four  cream-colored  horses.  I  know  that  the  hon  ion  is  divided  into  two  great 
parties  ;  one  contending  that  Miss  Fanny  Kcmble  lias  grossly  slandered  the 
Americans,  and  the  other  doubting  the  assertion,  or  arguing  that,  as  she  is 
a  woman,  she  ought  to  be  treated  well  on  the  stage,  &c." 


164  Jackson's  admixistration. 

According  to  Baillie  Peyton,  when  McLane  was 
Secretary  of  State,  a  new  minister  arrived  from  Lis- 
bon, and  a  day  was  appointed  for  him  to  be  presented 
to  the  President.  The  hour  was  set,  and  McLane  ex- 
pected the  minister  to  call  at  the  State  department: 
but  the  Portuo;uese  had  misunderstood  Mr.  McLane's 
French,  and  he  proceeded  alone  to  the  White  House. 
He  rang  the  bell,  and  the  door  was  opened  by  the 
Irish  porter,  Jimmy  O'Neil.  "  Je  suis  venu  voir  Mon- 
sieur le  President,"  said  the  minister.  ''  What  the 
deuce  docs  he  mean!  muttered  Jimmv.  "He  savs 
President,  though,  and  I  suppose  he  wants  to  see  the 
General."  '-  Oui,  oui,"  said  the  Portuguese,  bowing. 
Jimmy  ushered  him  into  the  green  room,  where  the 
General  w\as  smoking  his  corn-cob  pipe  with  great 
composure.  The  minister  made  his  bow  to  the  Presi- 
dent, and  addressed  him  in  French,  of  which  the 
General  did  not  understand  a  word.  ^'What  does 
the  fellow  say,  Jimmy  ?"  said  he.  "De'il  knows,  sir: 
I  reckon  he's  a  furriner."  "Try  him  in  Irish,  Jimmy," 
said  Old  Hickory.  Jimmy  gave  him  a  touch  of  the 
genuine  Milesian,  but  the  minister  only  shrugged  his 
shoulders  with  the  usual "  Plait  il  ?  "  "  Och ! "  exclaimed 
Jimm}^, "  he  can't  go  the  Irish,  sir.  He's  French  to  be 
sure!"  "Send  for  the  French  cook,  and  let  him  try 
if  he  can  find  out  what  the  gentleman  wants."  The 
cook  was  hurried  from  the  kitchen,  sleeves  rolled  up. 
apron  on,  and  the  carving-knife  in  his  hand.  The 
Minister  seeing  this  formidable  apparition,  and  doubt- 
ing he  was  in  the  presence  of  the  Head  of  the  Nation, 
feared  some  treacher}^,  and  made  for  the  door,  before 
which  Jimmy  planted  himself  to  keep  him  in.    When 


THE    MINISTER  AXD    THE    FREXCII    COOK.         165 

the  cook,  by  the  General's  order,  asked  Avho  he  was, 
and  what  he  wanted,  and  he  gave  a  subdued  answer, 
the  President  discovered  his  character.  At  this  junc- 
ture McLane  came  in,  and  the  minister  w^as  presented 
in  due  form.  It  is  said  General  Jackson  always  re- 
sented allusion  to  this  incident. 

Some  time  in  Jackson's  second  term  the  celebrated 
Gaines  suit  was  commenced.,  This  case  is  the  most 
remarkable  one  in  the  historj^  of  American  jurispru- 
dence. Myra  Clark  was  born  in  New  Orleans — the 
only  child  of  the  wealthy  aristocrat — Daniel  Clark, 
and  became  a  very  beautiful  girl.  She  was  taken 
away  in  her  childhood  after  her  father's  death,  by 
persons  interested  in  claiming  the  property  to  which 
she  was  the  lawful  heiress,  and  was  brought  up  to 
womanhood  in  ignorance  of  her  real  parentage  and 
her  rights.  Three  months  before  her  marriage  with 
Mr.  Whitney,  her  first  husband,  a  discovery  was  made 
of  the  mysterious  circumstances  of  her  birth  and  his- 
tory, and  her  title  to  the  possession  of  millions — by 
her  father's  last  will  naming  her  sole  legatee,  and  by 
her  heiress-ship  as  his  only  legitimate  chikl.  With 
the  aid  of  her  husband  she  entered  on  the  prosecu- 
tion of  her  claims  with  an  earnestness  and  persever- 
ance without  parallel,  undismayed  by  obstacles  and 
embarrassments  that  might  have  appalled  the  most 
heroic.  Her  faith  knew  no  faltering  and  her  courage 
shrank  from  no  sacrifice.  She  was  not  actuated  by  a 
desire  for  wealth  so  much  as  a  determination  to  vin- 
dicate the  honor  of  her  parents  and  the  stainlessness 
of  her  birth.     After  many  years  of  Labors  long  foiled, 

of  heroic  sacrifices,  and  of  a  struggle  that  would  have 
11 


166  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

exhausted  the  vigor  and  even  hopes  of  an  ordinary 
person,  rising  from  every  partial  defeat  with  strength 
renewed,  and  re-entering  on  the  strife  with  a  firm  re- 
liance on  the  justice  of  her  cause,  Myra  Clark  Gaines 
achieved  a  victory  that  commanded  the  admiration 
and  sympathy  of  the  whole  country.  The  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  decided  the  case  in  her 
favor,  against  the  city  of  New  Orleans  and  other  in- 
cumbents on  her  property.  The  Supreme  Court  of 
Louisiana,  recognizing  the  justice  of  her  claim,  ordered 
the  last  will  of  Daniel  Clark — charged  to  have  been 
fraudulently  destroyed — to  be  admitted  to  probate 
and  executed.  But  though  invested  with  an  unques- 
tionable title  to  an  estate  of  millions,  the  law's  delay 
and  vexatious  suits  continued  to  interpose  between 
her  and  the  fruits  of  her  well-earned  victory ;  while 
the  civil  war  postponed  her  possession  of  her  own. 
With  patience  unabated  and  heroic  hopefulness,  she 
w^aited  for  the  resumption  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  over  appeals 
from  Louisiana.  She  ought  now  to  enjoy  her  success 
without  further  legal  contention.  But  with  a  whole 
city  in  opposition  and  hundreds  of  purchasers  whose 
titles  are  invalidated  by  her  paramount  right,  there 
are  still  difficulties  to  overcome. 


,    THE  KEW  YORK  J 
PUBLIC  IIBRARYJ 


■pt  nFN  FOUNDATIONS^ 


MmSoHnmA  cilamk  o-AicmEL^- 


YIII. 

JACKSON'S  ADMINISTEATION. 

Party  at  Secretary  Woodbury's — Social  Etiquette — The  President 
crowded  from  his  own  Table — Popular  Churches — Mr.  Cass's  Party 
— New  Year's  Levee — Amos  Kendall — Mrs.  Florida  White — Presi- 
dential Ball  and  Supper — Mrs.  Huntington — Mrs.  Johnston — Mrs. 
Benton's  Coteries — Miss  Cora  Livingston — Memoir  of  Mrs.  Ben- 
ton— Her  Succor  of  a  poor  Girl — The  mad  Woman's  attempt  to 
kill  her,  to  save  her  from  the  Ills  of  Life — Mr.  Benton's  timely  In- 
terposition— Mrs.  Benton's  Liberation  of  her  Slaves — Curious  scene 
of  the  Execution  of  the  Expunging  Resolution — "  Spat "  between 
Mr.  Buchanan  and  Mr.  Clay — Society  and  Manners  in  Washing- 
ton— Etiquette  of  Parties — Amusing  Account  of  a  fashionable  Soiree 
— The  rough  Kentuckian  and  his  "Jane" — The  deaf  foreign  Minis- 
ter and  the  Belle — Nicholas  Biddle — Tableau  party  in  Georgetown 
— The  eccentric  Secretary  of  the  Navy — Gorgeous  Fancy  Ball — 
First  attempt  at  a  Masquerade — Mrs.  Forsythe's  Parties — Mrs. 
Woodbury's — Brilliant  one  in  Baltimore — Miss  Martineau  and  her 
Tube — Santa  Anna — Scene  in  the  Gallery — Judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court — Scene  in  the  Library — The  Big  Cheese — Amusing  Anecdotes 
of  Jackson's  Determination — Memoir  of  Mrs.  Edward  Livingston 
— Memoir  of  Mrs.  Levi  Woodbury. 

"  AVhat  the  Secretaries  are  to  do  with  the  ten  thou- 
sand applications  for  the  freedom  of  their  drawing- 
rooms,  I  cannot  imagine,"  was  the  exclamation  of  a 
visitor  at  the  close  of  1835.  The  gay  season  opened 
with  a  party  at  Secretary  Woodbury's.  The  lady  pre- 
sided with  great  dignity  and  grace.  Several  dashing 
belles  from  Baltimore,  Alexandria  and  Georgetown, 


170  Jackson's  administration. 

were  present.  The  President  had  a  long  consultation 
with  the  ladies  of  the  several  high  departments,  and 
came  to  the  conclusion  to  change  the  etiquette  of  the 
season.  The  custom  of  dining  the  members  had  fa- 
tigued the  old  hero,  and  the  promiscuous  assemblage 
of  the  levees  annoj'cd  him.  The  evening  before 
Christmas  he  gave  a  splendid  ball  and  supper,  to  a 
select  invited  company.  The  guests  assembled  at 
nine,  the  ball  was  in  the  east  room,  the  supper  ready 
in  the  west  room  by  eleven,  and  the  company  dis- 
persed before  half-past  twelve.  The  flishionables 
w^ere  delighted  with  this  party.  "  A  little  set  of  ex- 
clusives  is  now  formed  under  the  immediate  patron- 
age of  the  President,  who  has  set  himself  to  the  grand 
object  of  separating  the  true  and  acknowledged  fash- 
ion and  rank  of  the  community  from  contact  with 
those  who  are  not  exactly  of  the  right  sort.  The  so- 
cial institutions  of  Washington  have  too  long,  in  his 
estimation,  borne  a  resemblance  to  the  political  insti- 
tutions of  the  country,  and  admitted  respectable  per- 
sons from  every  quarter  of  the  country,  without  a 
very  rigid  scrutiny  into  their  pretensions  as  people 
of  fashion.  The  system  is  now  to  be  changed.  The 
scale  established  by  the  President  is  peculiarly  arbi- 
trary; for  instance,  clerks  with  three  thousand  dollars 
salary  are  invited ;  those  of  two  thousand  are  excluded. 
On  Friday  the  public  New  Year's  levee  is  to  be  held ; 
and  to  that  the  Irish  laborers,  &c.,  are  to  be  admitted, 
in  their  shirt  sleeves,  as  heretofore."  "Andrew  the 
First  will  give  an  exclusive  ball  and  supper,  once  a  fort- 
night, hereafter,  till  the  weather  is  too  hot  for  danc- 
ing and  squeezing."     Again  :  "  The  President  has  de- 


A    NEW   year's    LEYEE.  171 

terniinod  to  give  no  more  ^  exclusives/  The  last  one 
was  a  shocking  exhibition.  The  members  of  Congress 
brought  haclies,  and  members  came  from  every  part  of 
the  city  and  vicinity  without  invitation,  and  pushed 
their  way  in.  Sixteen  hundred  persons  were  com- 
puted to  have  been  present,  and,  of  course,  the  rooms 
were  crowded  to  suffocation.  The  President  handed 
Mrs.  Forsythe  to  the  upper  room ;  but  the  mob 
rushed  past  him,  and  excluded  him  from  the  table. 
'Well,'  said  he,  very  properly  offended,  'this  is  the 
first  time  that  I  was  ever  shut  out  from  my  own  ta- 
ble, and  it  shall  be  the  last.'" 

Mr.  Cass  had  given  a  splendid  party  at  his  residence 
to  close  the  year,  attended  by  all  the  fashionables. 
The  New  Years'  levee  at  the  President's  was  densely 
crowded ;  all  the  foreign  ambassadors,  consuls  and 
charges  being  there  in  their  brilliant  costumes,  army 
and  navy  officers  in  full  uniform,  members,  citizens, 
etc.  The  President,  flanked  on  either  side  by  Web- 
ster and  Van  Buren,  looked  the  picture  of  happiness. 
Amos  Kendall  was  present,  but  none  of  the  clerks  of 
his  department.  The  levee  closed  at  two,  to  the 
regret  of  many,  who  knew  this  was  the  last  levee 
of  the  season,  and  that  to  the  private  parties  which 
are  henceforth  to  be  the  order  of  the  day,  they  can- 
not be  admitted. 

"Mrs.  White,  of  Florida,  is  here,  and  report  says 
she  intends  introducing  a  new  style  of  everything. 
She  has  but  lately  returned  from  France,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  that  she  will  bear  the  palm  from  all  party 
li^ivers." 

Early  in  February  General  Scott,  in  Florida  with 


172  JACKSOX'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX. 

General  Clinch,  General  Curtiss,  General  Gaines  and 
General  Macomb,  called  for  five  thousand  men  to 
carry  on  his  operations  against  the  Indians.  Major 
Van  Buren — son  of  the  Vice-President,  was  appointed 
Scott's  aid-de-camp.  The  General  informed  the  gal- 
lant Major  that  he  might  sometimes  be  obliged  to 
sleep  out  in  the  swamps  all  night,  and  that  therefore 
he  had  better  provide  himself  with  a  suit  of  India 
rubber.  Accordingly  Major  A'^an  Buren  got  himself 
equipped  from  head  to  foot;  remarking  to  the  shop 
man :  "  I  am  going  to  Florida,  and  may  want  a  few 
more  yards  of  your  cloth  for  sheets  ;  if  so,  I  will  get 
mv  father  to  frank  them  to  me."  The  incredulous 
ladies  declared  they  would  wear  all  the  scalps  sent 
home  by  the  Major,  and,  like  Beatrice,  eat  all  the  In- 
dians of  his  killing.  On  the  11th  February,  General 
Jackson  gave  a  magnificent  ball  and  supper :  the 
whole  palace  being  thrown  open,  and  music,  dancing 
and  flirtation  enlivening  the  scene.  All  the  leading 
opposition  members  were  present,  except  the  nuUi- 
fiers.  The  President  was  in  high  spirits.  He  had 
got  the  news  of  the  adoption  of  the  expunging  reso- 
lutions by  the  Virginia  House  of  Delegates. 

The  lady  usually  called  Mrs.  "  Florida  White,"  be- 
cause her  husband.  Colonel  White,  represented  Flor- 
ida, was  celebrated  for  her  magnificent  beauty  and 
intellectual  accomplishments,  throughout  the  Gulf 
States.  She  was  Ellen  Adair,  the  daughter  of  Gov- 
ernor Adair,  of  Kentucky.  Her  sister,  Mrs.  Benjamin 
F.  Pleasants,  was  also  greatly  admired  in  Washington 
society.  These  were  two  of  the  seven  daughters  of 
Governor  Adair,  all  of  whom  were  women  of  mark 


LEADING   LADIES.  173 

for  beauty  and  talents.  Mrs.  White's  cousin,  Mrs. 
Fitzhugh,  was  a  courted  belle  in  Washington  in  1842. 
She  was  tall  and  splendidly  proportioned,  possessing 
a  commanding  dignity  of  mien,  with  faultless  grace 
in  every  movement.  She  was  fair,  with  blue  eyes, 
and  her  dark  brown  hair  fell  in  heavy  waves  almost 
to  her  feet.  Eefmed  intelligence  illumined  her  beau- 
tiful face ;  her  eloquence  in  conversation  was  fas- 
cinating, and  the  elegance  of  high  breeding  harmo- 
nized in  her  with  feminine  gentleness.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  Rudd,  of  Kentucky.  Her  second 
husband  was  Mr.  E.  M.  Huntington,  Commissioner  of 
the  general  land  office  in  Washington.  President 
Tyler  offered  him  the  position  of  Judge  of  the  United 
States  Court  in  Indiana. 

The  house  of  Mrs.  Josiah  S.  Johnston,  of  Louisiana, 
was  noted  for  its  hospitality.  Edward  Livingston  was 
not  only  an  associate  of  Johnston  in  their  public 
career,  but  an  intimate  friend ;  and  their  friendship 
was  never  interrupted.  Mrs.  Johnston's  second  hus- 
band was  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
became  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury  and  Attorney  Gen- 
eral after  the  election  of  Van  Buren  to  the  Presi- 
dency. Ptichard  Henry  Wilde,  of  Georgia,  was  prom- 
inent for  some  time  in  the  society  of  this  period. 
His  poetical  genius,  and  literary  accomplishments, 
rendered  him  distinguished. 

One  of  the  most  admired  belles  in  Washington 
during  General  Jackson's  administration  was  Miss 
Cora  Livingston.  She  married  Thomas  Barton,  who 
went  as  Secretary  of  Legation  with  Mr.  Edward  Liv- 
ingston on  the  mission  to  France;  was  left  as  Charge 


174  Jackson's  administration. 

des  Affaires  Avhen  Livingston  returned,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1836,  bringing  water  for  the 
fire  between  Jackson  and  Louis  Philippe.  The  beau- 
tiful Mrs.  Ashley — afterwards  Mrs.  Crittenden,  was 
also  the  star  of  the  most  brilliant  circles,  and  Miss 
Octavia  Walton  from  the  South,  was  a  celebrity  for 
her  gifts  and  accomplishments. 

The  coteries  of  Mrs.  Thomas  II.  Benton  were  al- 
ways composed  of  the  most  distinguished  persons  in 
AYashington.  Chief-Justice  Marshall,  Mr.  Eandolph, 
Chief-Justice  Tane}',  Mr.  Mason  of  North  Carolina, 
Mr.  Archer,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  and  many  others,  with 
her  own  relatives,  formed  her  select  circles,  which 
were  historical  in  this  administration.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Colonel  James  McDow^ell,  and  related  to 
half  the  first  families  of  Virginia. 

Mrs.  Benton  came  to  Washington  soon  after  her 
marriage,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  was  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  its  society. 
Mr.  Benton's  position  as  leader  of  the  pow^erful  and 
victorious  Democratic  party,  and  her  owai  as  belong- 
ing to  one  of  the  most  prominent  Virginia  families, 
added  to  the  influence  exercised  by  her  own  force  of 
character  and  the  rare  vigor  of  her  mental  faculties. 
Mr.  Benton  was  one  of  the  fortunate  public  men  in 
whose  homes  the  domestic  altar  is  a  sacred  fact  and 
not  a  figure.  The  repose  and  strength  gained  in  such 
a  home  makes  so  much  a  part  of  the  power  of  a  man's 
public  life,  that  it  should  not  be  omitted  in  speaking 
of  him.  The  families  of  both  were  connected  with 
the  most  noted  in  the  State,  the  Prestons,  Madisons, 
Peytons,  Randolphs,  &c.      Many   members   of   Mrs. 


MRS.  THOMAS    H.  BENTON,  175 

Benton's  family  were  conspicuous  in  the  country's 
history.  She  first  entered  society  in  Eichmond  while 
General  James  Preston  was  Governor  of  Virginia; 
and  everything  bore  the  stamp  of  its  English  origin, 
the  conservative  feeling  being  very  strong  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  young  lady's  home.  Yet  her 
mind,  gifted  with  rare  force,  saw  for  itself,  and  con- 
victions gained  strength  which  governed  her  own 
life  and  shaped  the  principles  and  fortunes  of  her 
children.  Accustomed  to  the  most  liberal  hospitality 
in  her  father's  house,  spending  every  summer  at  the 
then  chief  watering-place  of  the  country — the  White 
Sulphur  Springs,  while  the  winters  were  passed  in  Rich- 
mond— travelino;  to  and  fro  in  her  own  carriai>:e  im- 
ported  from  London — a  big,  yellow  chariot  lined  with 
red  morocco,  christened  Cinderella's  pumpkin  by  the 
next  generation — with  maid  and  men-servants,  har- 
ness and  saddle  horses — endowed  with  health  and 
high  spirits,  having  no  experience  of  grief  or  want 
to  give  her  insight  into  the  needs  of  others, — there 
came  to  this  young  heart  the  conviction  that  there 
must  be  another  side  to  the  repulsive  tales  she  had 
heard  associated  with  "  liberal  views."  Her  marriage 
took  place  at  the  time  Missouri  w\as  admitted  as  a 
State,  and  the  law  was  made  providing  against  the 
extension  of  slavery  beyond  its  borders.  In  all  that 
belonged  to  large  and  humane  measures  Mrs.  Benton 
took  part,  and  brought  her  influence  and  talents  to 
bear  especially  on  the  subject  that  had  forced  itself 
on  her  mind — the  emancipation  of  the  negro  race. 
Prominent  southerners  of  that  time  looked  to  gradual 
emancipation  and  colonization.      Chief-Justice   Mar- 


17G  Jackson's  administration. 

sliall,  Mr.  Randolphj  Mr.  Macon  of  North  Carolina^ 
Francis  Key,  and  Mr.  Pinckney  of  Maryland,  William 
C.  Preston  of  South  Carolina,  Mr.  King  of  Alabama, 
and  Dr.  Linn  of  Missouri,  were  among  those  anxious 
for  such  a  remedy  for  an  evil  felt  to  be  growing  and 
threatening.  Mrs.  Benton  not  only  gave  her  slaves 
their  freedom,  but  a  support  till  they  were  able  to 
maintain  themselves.  Colonel  Benton  sanctioned  this 
not  only  from  conviction,  but  for  "  the  honor  he  bore 
his  dear  ladye."  He  refused  the  bequest  of  a  planta- 
tion and  slaves  from  a  brother  who  died  in  Louisiana. 

Mrs.  Benton  had  other  sacrifices  to  make  for  con- 
science sake.  She  was  one  of  nine  Presbyterians  who 
met  for  worship  over  a  saddler's  shoj)  in  St.  Louis, 
then  a  mere  village  settled  by  French  and  Catholics, 
to  whose  prejudices  the  newer  settlers  conformed. 
The  form  of  religious  service  to  Avhich  Mrs.  Benton 
attached  herself  w^as  esteemed  vulgar,  but  she  gave 
to  its  support  her  position,  wealth,  talents,  and  her 
example  of  true  p)iety.  Her  charities  and  co-opera- 
tion in  all  good  works  left  such  an  abiding  impression, 
that  in  the  early  part  of  the  civil  war,  many  contri- 
butions of  clothiuiT,  wine  and  other  comforts  for  the 
hospitals,  were  sent  to  her  daughter  Mrs.  Fremont, 
with  a  line  or  message  to  say  they  were  not  sent  to 
the  wife  of  an  "Abolition  officer,"  but  to  the  daugh- 
ter of  Mrs.  Benton,  who  in  her  day  had  helped  all 
without  distinction  of  religion. 

Thus  passed  this  useful  and  brilliant  life — alternat- 
ing between  her  early  home  in  Virginia,  and  her  win- 
ter home  in  Washington;  with  visits  to  her  house  in 
St.  Louis,  and  with  her  husband  in  New  Orleans — for 


A    STARTLING   PERIL.  177 

some  twenty  years.  In  person  Mrs.  Benton  so  closely 
resembled  Girard's  portrait  of  Madame  de  Stael,  that 
it  is  held  by  her  family  as  better  than  those  taken 
from  life  of  herself 

In  the  early  part  of  her  married  life  she  received 
the  shock  ^vhich  caused  her  years  of  ill  health,  re- 
sulting at  last  in  her  death.  She  had  succored  a  poor 
girl,  who  became  crazed  by  shame  and  sorrow,  and 
had  procured  her  admission  to  the  lunatic  asylum 
in  Stanton.  When  discharged  as  harmless  though 
incurable,  the  poor  creature  haunted  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Mrs.  Benton's  home,  delighted  to  receive  the 
presents  brought  for  her  on  the  annual  visit.  One 
day  the  demented  woman  came  into  the  house  to  see 
"  Miss  Betsey,"  as  she  called  Mrs.  Benton,  and  found 
her  asleep  in  her  room.  In  her  jangled  brain  stirred 
the  thought  that  it  would  be  an  act  of  love  and 
gratitude  to  the  dear  young  lady  to  kill  her  as  she 
slept,  and  save  her  from  her  own  agonized  experience 
— a  father's  curse  when  her  child  should  be  born,  ex- 
pulsion from  her  home,  and  desertion  by  him  she  had 
loved  too  w^ell.  Mr.  Benton  in  the  next  room  heard 
a  whispering,  sobbing  sound,  and  came  into  his  wdfe's 
chamber  just  in  time  to  arrest  the  heavy  bough  of  a 
tree  which  the  maniac  had  lifted  to  dash  it  with  all 
her  strength  on  the  sleeper's  head.  Mrs.  Benton 
started  from  slumber  to  take  in  her  danger  at  a 
glance:  the  descending  bough,  the  interposition  of 
her  husband,  the  mad  woman  struggling  furiously  in 
his  grasp ;  and  the  effects  of  the  fright  were  most 
disastrous.  The  death  of  the  delicate  child  born  soon 
afterwards,  her  own  lengthened  sufferings,  and  the 


178  Jackson's  administration. 

terrible  jar  to  her  nerves,  gave  a  downward  turn,  that 
ended  in  the  complete  breaking  down  of  the  nervous 
system.  Yet  the  noble  principles  and  acts  of  her  life 
continued  to  sustain  her  husband.  Her  numerous 
acts  of  charity  will  never  be  known:  but  the  poor 
who  came  to  her  funeral,  the  men  in  high  position 
who  standing  by  the  dead  said  to  her  daughter — 
"But  for  her  I  was  a  lost  man.  What  I  am  now  I 
owe  to  her  admonitions  and  encouragement:" — the 
women  who  acknowledged  her  aid,  helping  them 
through  the  dark  hours  when  suicide  or  desperate 
bravado  seemed  their  only  resource — helping  them 
back  to  unquestioned  security  of  reputation — all 
testified  to  her  Christian  upholding  of  those  who  fall. 
Her  faithful  colored  servants,  too,  who  remained  with 
her  on  wasces,  were  witnesses  that  neither  wealth  nor 
worldly  honors,  nor  mental  powers  nor  the  attractions 
of  society,  had  won  her  to  live  for  herself  She  often 
referred  to  Jeanie  Deans'  words  to  the  Queen  of 
England, — "  It's  not  what  we  hae  done  for  ourselves 
my  leddy,  but  what  we  hae  done  for  others,  will  help 
us  then."  Mr.  Benton,  too,  called  to  mind  the  Baillie's 
saying, — "Some  men  were  ower  gude  for  banning, 
and  ower  bad  for  blessing— like  Rob  Roy" — particu- 
larly when  he  gave  his  opinion  that  "  party  was  too 
tremendous  an  engine  to  use  against  a  poor  clerk 
whose  salary  was  all  that  stood  between  his  family 
and  starvation,  and  too  small  a  consideration  where 
the  national  honor  was  involved." 

Those  two  sayings  embody  the  ruling  principles  of 
those  two  noble  lives — so  harmoniously  united  that 
one  cannot  be  written  separate  from  the  other. 


rPtOMIXENT    MEN.  179 

On  the  night  of  the  passage  and  execution  of  the 
expunging  resolution,  Mrs.  Benton,  anxious  for  the 
safety  of  her  husband,  and  knowing  him  obnoxious 
to  the  Bank  party,  was  near  him  in  the  Senate 
chamber.  It  was  the  last  scene  of  a  seven  years' 
contest  with  that  great  moneyed  power.  When 
the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  began  to  perform  the 
expunging  process,  a  storm  of  hisses,  groans  and 
vociferations  arose  in  the  gallery  over  Benton's 
head.  The  presiding  officer  ordered  the  gallery 
cleared;  but  Benton  opposed  the  order,  bidding  the 
sergeant-at-arms  seize  only  the  Bank  ruffians,  and 
pointing  one  out.  The  ringleader  was  seized  and 
brouo;ht  to  the  bar.  General  Jackson  crave  a  errand 
dinner  to  the  '-expungers"  and  their  wives;  and 
being  too  weak  to  sit  at  table,  with  the  company, 
placed  the  "head  expunger"  in  his  chair  and  with- 
drew to  his  sick  chamber. 

Commodore  Rodgers,  the  great  naval  commander 
who  died  early  in  Van  Buren's  administration,  was 
then  prominent.  His  form  and  face  wxre  those  of 
the  naval  hero.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  Ameri- 
can navy,  but  did  not  see  the  rank  of  admiral  estab- 
lished in  our  naval  service.  Mr.  Rives  was  an  easy, 
graceful,  fluent  speaker.  He  never  dealt  in  sarcasm 
or  invective,  always  treating  his  opponent  with  the 
courtesy  of  a  gentleman.  He  was  in  consequence 
esteemed  by  both  parties ;  though  not  much  liked 
by  the  ultras.  Mr.  Clay's  eloquence  w^as  described 
as  that  of  Jupiter  Tonans  ;  the  fearless  independence 
of  his  mind  being  ahvays  discernible.  Experience,  he 
once  said,  quoting  Coleridge,  "  is  like  the  stern  lights 


180  JACKSOX'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

of  a  ship,  to  most  men ;  illumining  only  the  way  it 
has  passed." 

On  the  29th  March,  "Andrew  Stevenson,  minister 
to  England,  was  in  the  House  to-day  looking  remark- 
ably well  and  in  good  spirits.  He  is  to  go  out  as 
soon  as  a  national  ship  can  be  got  in  readiness  to  con- 
vey him." 

On  the  1st  April,  "Mr.  Buchanan  and  Mr.  Clay  had 
what  the  Yankees  call  a  bit  of  a  spat.  Mr.  Buchanan 
had  spoken  of  his  adventure  at  a  certain  battle,  in 
which  he  came  too  late  to  do  any  active  service ;  but 
Mr.  Clay  tried  to  show  that  the  gentleman's  age  could 
not  have  been  at  that  time  more  than  twelve,  and 
wished  the  ladies  in  the  gallery  were  more  numer- 
ous, to  hear  the  exploits  of  such  a  youth.  Where- 
upon Mr.  Buchanan  blazed  out  in  wrath.  Mr.  Clay 
was  cool  as  an  ice-house,  and  the  Senate  and  galleries 
were  convulsed  with  laughter." 

An  observer  wrote :  "  The  soirees  of  the  Secreta- 
ries usually  commence  from  nine  to  ten ;  all  the 
apartments  being  thrown  open ;  from  seven  to  nine 
hundred  are  invited,  though  generally  not  more  than 
half  that  number  attend.  The  host  and  hostess  stand 
in  the  drawing-room  to  receive  the  company.  Danc- 
ing, conversation,  and  cards,  are  the  amusements  of 
the  evening ;  the  first  left  to  the  young  people  ;  the 
elder  and  middle-aged  participating  in  the  latter.  A 
small  band  of  musicians  is  stationed  in  the  ball-room, 
where  the  young  girls  and  beaux  are  conversant  with 
the  'poetry  of  motion.'  Light  refreshments  circu- 
late through  the  different  apartments.  At  about 
eleven   the  guests  partake  of  a   collation  or  supper ; 


A    FASHIONABLE    PARTY.  181 

about  three  they  begin  to  retu-e,  and  at  four  the 
lio^hts  are  extinfruished.  At  the  sonee  of  a  Secre- 
tary,  entering  about  ten,  I  wound  my  way  into 
another  room  and  found  a  diminutive  woman  gaud- 
ily attired,  hanging  on  the  arm  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,  who  is  six  feet  high  and  whose  panta- 
loons were  somewhat  deficient  in  length.  '  Dear  me  ! ' 
exclaimed  the  little  Miss ;  '  What  a  crowd !  I  really 
never  saw  anj'thing  like  it  in  Jersey.  Don't  you 
think  it's  enough  to  make  one  faint  ?'  The  Secretary 
smiled  and  observed  that  it  would  be  very  incon- 
venient to  faint  there,  as  water  was  an  article  that 
could  not  be  had  at  a  party  in  Washington.  '  Pray 
who '  asked  the  j^oung  lady,  '  is  that  strange  looking 
man  with  the  dirty  black  mustache,  talking  to  that 
enormous  lady  in  black  velvet  ?'  '  That  is  one  of  the 
representatives  of  the  Northern  Bear,  the  great  auto- 
crat of  all  the  Russias.'  '  Is  it  possible  !  Well,  on  a 
closer  inspection,  I  don't  think  him  so  very  frightful 
after  all,'  and  they  moved  off,  that  the  young  lady 
might  be  introduced,  leaving  me  alongside  of  a  tall, 
gawkish  looking  young  man,  whom  I  soon  ascertained 

to  be  the  Earl  of  S .  a  vouno;  Scotchman,  who  had 

come  to  visit  some  land  he  owned  in  America.  He 
was  very  silent  and  awkward,  and  seemed  to  be  un- 
der the  special  guardianship  of  the  British  minister, 
and  a  Scotch  attache.  The  sound  of  music  produced  a 
rush  towards  the  ball-room,  where  I  found  myself  sta- 
tioned behind  a  lady  of  no  particular  age,  most  ab- 
surdly and  fantastically  arrayed.  She  was  the  sister 
of  the  host's  wife.  The  waltz  was  in  favor,  and  the 
various  couples  whirled  round  with  such  bewildering 


182  Jackson's  administkatiox. 

gyrations,  I  was  almost  dizzy  with  merely  looking  on. 
'  I  declare  !'  cried  the  lady  above-mentioned,  'I  begin 
to  feel  the  effects  of  old  age.'  She  was  about  forty, 
and  no  doubt  expected  her  attendant  cavalier  to  con- 
tradict her ;  but  he  was  half  choked  with  a  piece  of 
pound  cake,  and  could  not  have  managed  to  utter  a 
compliment. 

^'"How  I  envy  that  lady  hanging  on  the  arm  of 
the  Vice-President,'  continued  the  lady.  ^Pray  who 
is  she?'  asked  the  gentleman.  ^She  is  a  kind  of  fe- 
male clerk  in  one  of  the  public  offices.  Her  father 
has  acted  the  Vicar  of  Bray  so  admirably  as  not  only 
to  keep  himself  in  office,  but  his  whole  family;  they 
have  realized  an  income  from  the  public  crib  of  about 
six  thousand  dollars  a  year.  Not  less  than  six  of 
them  go  to  every  party  during  the  winter;  never  fail- 
ing to  make  a  deep  impression  on  the  ice  creams  and 
confectionery.  That  one  believes  her  beauty  of  the 
Spanish  style ;  and  she  endeavors  to  dress  and  act  the 
Spanish  belle;  but  it  won't  do.  The  less  she  says  the 
better;  for  when  she  keeps  her  mouth  closed,  it  is 
impossible  to  find  out  the  small  capital  on  which  she 
trades.' 

'-  ^  Indeed,  I  think  you  arc  inclined  to  be  somewhat 
satirical  this  evening,'  remarked  the  gentleman. 

" '  Not  in  the  least,'  replied  the  belle  of  forty ;  and 
she  gave  a  killing  toss  of  her  head,  that  threw  a  long, 
straggling,  artificial  curl  into  one  of  her  eyes ;  which 
so  affected  her  vision,  she  immediately  withdrew  to 
apply  some  palliative  to  her  injured  organ.  Their 
place  was  supplied  by  a  couple  fresh  from  the  coun- 
try ;    a  rustic  pair   invited  by  some   accident.      The 


THE  STRAPPING  KENTUCKrAX.         183 

beau,  a  tall,  strapping  Kentuckian,  had  taken  a  sau- 
cer of  frozen  Roman  punch,  which  he  had  never  tasted 
before.  He  had  no  sooner  put  it  into  his  mouth  than 
he  exclaimed  ;  '  I  swar.  Miss  Jane,  this  beats  julep  all 
to  nothing;  \Yho  ever  thought  of  chawing  rum  !'  The 
servant  stopped  near  him  with  a  tray  on  which  stood 
a  pyramid  of  candied  oranges.  Peering  at  it  with 
great  curiosity,  he  took  hold  with  his  fingers,  and 
broke  off  a  large  piece,  which  stuck  to  his  fingers  so 
tenaciously,  that,  finding  he  could  make  nothing  of  it, 
he  thrust  it  into  his  pocket,  and  began  to  suck  his 
fingers  to  clear  them  from  the  adhesive  substance. 
Miss  Jane  had  helped  herself  to  an  ice-cream  and 
sundry  comfits  in  large  quantities.  Presently  their 
attention  was  caught  by  a  fashionable  dance  —  the 
Mazurka — just  commenced. 

"^  Well,  I'm  shot  if  that  don't  beat  Burke,'  cried  the 
Kentuckian.  ^  There's  a  fellow  that  looks  like  Walk- 
in-the-Water — kneeling  to  a  lacly,  while  the  rest 
get  round  him  like  a  parcel  of  Indian  squaws  1  I'm 
smashed  if  they  haven't  been  taking  lessons  from  the 
Osages.'  A  clapping  noise  called  my  attention  to  the 
dancers,  now  arranged  in  two  lines  extending  the 
whole  depth  of  the  room,  and  I  saw  the  Scotch  at- 
tache stamping  with  his  feet,  and  clapping  his  hands, 
as  if  he  thought  he  was  dancing  the  Highland  Fling. 
The  whole  man  was  in  motion.  One  of  the  members 
was  denouncing  the  exhibition,  and  saying  he  Avould 
sooner  witness  a  parcel  of  Choctaws  or  Winneba- 
goes  perform  the  war  dance.  Entering  another  less 
crowded  apartment,  I  saw  a  pretty  girl  and  a  young 

naval  officer  seated  on  a  sofa,  discussing  Baron  Kru- 
12 


184  Jackson's  admixistratiox. 

dener  s  party  and  a  belle  in  Turkish  costume  who  had 
tried  her  arts  to  captivate  the  old  diplomat,  seemingly 
determined  to  live  and  die  a  bachelor.  But  she  talked 
French  and  showed  her  white  teeth  to  him  in  vain. 
His  deafness  compelled  her  to  scream  her  soft  noth- 
ings into  his  ear  to  the  occasional  annoyance  of  the 
compan^^  *  Baron/  in  her  most  bewitching  tone,  ^I 
should  like  to  waltz.'  '  Old,  oiii,'  responded  the  Baron, 
'il  fait  fort  chaucl :  very  hot,  warm,  oiiij  '1  am  not 
speaking  of  the  heat,  but  of  dancing,'  ventured  the 
belle,  a  little  louder.  ^  Oui,  she  is  tres  jolie,  I  'ave  say 
so  to  her.'     '  Baron,  you  will  not  hear  me.' 

"^Oh,  dat  mamselle  is  certainement  var  pretty; 
but  she  'ave  bad  teeth.  I  'ave  told  her  she  was 
pretty  in  spite  of  her  teeth!  ha  hal'  and  with  this 
stale  joke  he  moved  off,  to  the  mortification  of  his 
companion.  Stimulated  by  champagne,  the  charge 
at  length  became  so  amorous,  that  in  the  ecstacy  of 
the  moment,  he  exclaimed  to  his  fair  companion:  'I 
vil  bite  your  chin  off.'  The  next  subject  was  a  lady 
wdio  came  to  Washington  as  an  heiress  and  w^as  pro- 
nounced a  belle,  till  it  was  ascertained  that  she  is 
one  of  a  family  of  six  children. 

"'Tired  of  gossip,  I  followed  the  crowd  into  the 
supper  room,  and  was  again  beside  tin  honorable 
member,  doing  justice  to  the  viands  and  champagne : 
bolting  dowai  oysters,  pheasant,  tongue,  &c.,  and 
moistening  them  with  copious  libations.  Another 
member  asked — '  why  he  was  like  a  clerk  ?'  '  Because 
he  is  fond  of  salary.'  '  But  why  is  his  mouth  like 
Athens?'  ^Because  it  is  the  centre  of  Greece.' 
The  strapping  Kentuckian  had  found  his  way  in  w^ith- 


AT    THE    SUPrER-TABLE.  185 

out  his  flilr  companion,  and  seemed  ready  to  devour 
everything.  'Mister' — he  began,  ' I'll  thank  you  for 
a  piece  that  thar  duck.'  '  It's  a  pheasant,'  replied  the 
other.  'A  pheasant !  what — that  thar  ?  you're  makin' 
game  of  me.'  '  But  you  shan't  make  game  of  me  I  will 
you  be  helped  to  the  wing  or  the  leg?'  'I'll  take 
both.'  The  whole  fowl  was  handed  to  him,  then  he 
cried — '  ^Yaiter,  I'll  thank  you  for  a  glass  of  that 
cider.'  'It  is  champagne,  sir,'  said  the  servant  smil- 
ing. As  he  tossed  off  the  glass,  he  exclaimed, '  I'm 
smashed  if  this  don't  beat  old  Kentuck'  all  to  shivers! 
Give  us  another  glass,  mister,  I  could  drink  this  here 
truck  all  day. '  " 

'• '  Pray  who  is  that  making  such  formal  prepara- 
tions for  a  regular  siege  to  the  good  things?'  asked  a 
member,  pointing  to  a  little  man  with  a  broad  face 
and  a  smile  on  it.  'You  might  tell,  from  the  manner 
in  which  he  provides  for  himself,  that  he  is  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  of  ^yays  and  Means.' 
'  And  that  round-faced,  jolly-looking  personage  mak- 
ing love  to  the  Sherry,  Madeira,  &c.?'  'The  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations.'  'And 
to  what  Committee  do  you  belong?'  'I  am  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole.  The  Speaker 
has  sometimes  wished  to  put  me  on  the  Committee 
of  Unfinished  Business;  but  I  have  always  begged 
off;  and  so,  if  you  please,  we  will  finish  our  last  bot- 
tle of  champagne.' 

"  In  the  dancing-room  I  saw  a  fine  looking  woman 
elegantly  dressed,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  a  Senator, 
and  surrounded  by  gentlemen  eager  to  pay  her  at- 
tention ;  a  chaplet  of  roses  rested  on  her  head,  and 


186  JACKSON'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX. 

she  handled  an  ivory  fan  ^vith  skill  and  effect.  I  was 
told  the  attaches  and  other  foreigners  sought  her  so- 
ciety because  she  could  speak  their  own  languages. 
'  She  has  a  soiree  every  Monday/  said  my  informant, 
'but  allows  no  dancing  and  wishes  her  parties  to  be 
considered  merely  conversaziones.' 

"  It  w^as  now  two  o'clock,  and  going  into  the  dress- 
ing-room, I  found  the  tall  Kentuckian  in  a  dreadful 
pother  about  the  loss  of  his  cap,  which  he  said  he  had 
given  a  servant  to  take  care  of  in  that  room.  '  I  say, 
mister,  ain't  that  thar  my  cap  you've  got  in  your 
hand !  I'm  smashed  if  some  scamp  hasn't  made  off 
with  my  cap!'  and  he  tore  up  the  pile  of  hats,  cloaks 
and  caps  like  a  dog  scraping  loose  earth. 

'  A  lady  waits  for  you,'  said  the  servant.  '  Tell  Miss 
Jane  I  can't  go  without  my  cap,  and  I'm  shot  if  I 
don't  have  it  in  spite  of  all  natur.' 

'•'  Such  is  a  sample  of  the  fashionable  soirees  of 
"Washington." 

Ever  since  General  Jackson  came  into  office  and 
developed  his  opinions  and  theories  on  the  currency, 
Mr.  Bid  die  had  been  the  effective  head  of  the  opposi- 
tion to  his  administration  ;  sometimes  in  secret,  some- 
times openly.  Webster,  Calhoun,  Clay  and  others 
w^ere  merely  pow^erful  instruments  set  in  motion  by 
the  great  magician  in  Philadelphia,  as  a  counterpart 
to  the  art  with  which  the  great  magician  of  New  York 
— Martin  Van  Buren — moved  the  President  and  his 
cabinet  at  Washington.  The  master  spirits  of  the 
two  opposing  parties  for  the  last  eight  years,  now 
flung  aside  each  his  silver  veil,  and  appeared  in  the 
arena  armed  and   equipped.      Both  were  powerful, 


A  FANCY   BALL.  187 

vjriginal,  and  remarkable  men ;  perhaps  without  an 
equal  in  tlieir  peculiar  traits  of  thought.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1833  Mr.  Biddle  was  seen  coming  out  of  the 
Mansion  House  in  Philadelphia,  and  said  to  an  ac- 
quaintance— smiling  in  his  half-sarcastic,  half-earnest 
way:  "I  have  just  been  paying  my  respects  to  Mr. 
Van  Buren.  One  magician  should  always  treat  an- 
other with  courtesy  when  he  passes  through  his  do- 
minions." Mr.  Yan  Buren  w^as  then  holding  a  levee 
at  Head's. 

Reuben  M.  Whitney  was  handled  severely  by  Wise 
and  Peyton  in  the  House  of  Representatives ;  and  he 
was  accustomed  to  retort  with  similar  epithets.  Mr. 
Wise  was  called  an  imitator  of  Randolph,  and  was  at 
this  time  rather  young,  though  his  hair  was  sprinkled 
with  gray.  He  was  bold,  fearless  and  independent, 
high-minded  and  patriotic.  Not  so  highly  cultivated 
as  the  orator  of  Roanoke,  he  had  not  his  ferocity  of 
spirit,  with  equal  energy  and  a  better  regulated  dispo- 
sition. His  style  w^as  more  vituperative  than  satirical ; 
his  illustrations  were  not  classical,  though  often  felici- 
tous. He  quoted  more  from  the  Bible  than  the  poets 
or  classical  writers,  yet  was  sometimes  irreverent. 

An  amusing  fancy  ball  was  given  in  January,  1837, 
by  a  matron  anxious  to  work  her  way  into  flishiona- 
ble  society.  There  were  kings  and  queens,  shepherds 
and  shepherdesses,  &c.,  in  all  manner  of  ludicrous 
costumes;  and  a  fat,  blowsy-faced  "Virgin  of  the 
Sun,"  said  to  be  the  mother  of  ten  children.  An  Hi- 
bernian dressed  as  Shylock  told  her  she  was  brilliant 
as  the  sun  itself  At  a  party  given  in  Georgetown 
by  a  colonel  who  liked  to  nnitate  European  fashions, 


188  Jackson's  administration. 

tableaux  vivants  were  introduced.  The  figures  sat 
in  a  rich  and  spacious  frame,  and  resembled  a  life- 
sized  picture.  The  wife  of  a  clerk  in  one  of  the 
offices  appeared  as  a  bandit's  bride ;  another  lady  of 
magnificent  rotundity  in  the  costume  of  a  sylph. 

Santa  Anna  was  expected  hourly  in  Washington 
and  it  was  thought  his  coming  was  to  persuade  Con- 
gress to  recognize  the  independence  of  Texas.  At 
this  period  it  was  not  usual  for  the  Executive  to  visit 
or  attend  parties,  though  he  might  give  as  many  as 
he  pleased.  It  was  expected  that  one  of  Mr.  Yan 
Buren's  sons  would  be  married,  and  would  reside  in 
the  palace  with  his  father  after  his  accession. 

Colonel  Johnson  had  no  personal  dignity,  and  was 
not  fluent;  but  was  clever  and  amiable.  He,  as  well 
as  the  President  elect,  seemed  fascinated  with  the 
performances,  at  the  theatre,  of  Miss  Clifton.  That 
magnificent  creature  was  quite  a  Patagonian,  and 
"  small  men  were  always  more  pleased  with  large  wo- 
men than  with  little  ones."  One  of  the  first  attempts 
to  get  up  a  masquerade  in  Washington  was  by  a 
Major  of  marines,  assisted  by  the  boarders  in  a  fash- 
ionable establishment.  A  gei)tleman  went  in  the 
dress  of  Dioerenes.  He  was  reminded  that  he  had 
forgotten  his  lantern  and  that  it  required  "  a  stronger 
blaze  than  that  of  a  lantern  to  find  out  an  honest  man 
in  these  days."  An  apparent  Hibernian  enquired, 
"  which  of  these  ladies  is  the  masther  of  ceremonies  ?" 
and  when  the  presiding  lady  stepped  up  to  him,  he 
introduced  himself  as  '^  Dennis  O'Larj^,  from  Cork,  in 
the  county  of  Dublin  in  the  south  of  Ireland,  and 
have  a  cousin  in  the  Herald  office  in  London." 


TWELFTH    NIGHT    BALL.  189 

The  parties  at  Secretary  Forsythe's  were  noted. 
x\t  Secretary  Woodbury's  evenings  Mrs.  Woodbury's 
suavity  and  case  of  manners  were  generally  admired ; 
as  well  as  her  exceeding  grace  of  deportment.  She 
possessed  great  beauty  of  face  and  form,  and  was  said 
to  resemble  Mrs.  Madison,  one  of  the  most  popular 
women  in  society.  She  always  put  strangers  at  their 
ease,  and  was  particularly  attentive  to  the  awkward 
and  embarrassed.  The  British  minister,  Mr.  Fox, 
'^'  never  makes  his  appearance  at  the  soirees.  He  is 
a  perfect  oddity.  The  Secretaries  have  all  left  their 
cards  at  his  residence ;  but  he  has  not  returned  a 
single  call,  and  is  therefore  not  invited  to  the  parties. 
Mr.  Fox  is  the  first  barbarian  that  ever  England  sent 
to  a  civilized  court." 

A  distinguished  lady  of  fashion  in  Baltimore,  Mrs. 
Meredith — gave  a  party  at  the  Assembly  Rooms  which 
was  attended  by  all  the  beauty,  taste  and  fashion  of 
Baltimore  and  Washine^ton.  It  was  o-iven  on  "  Twelfth 
Night,"  and  the  curious  olden  ceremony  was  intro- 
duced of  cutting  the  cake  and  contending  for  the  ring 
imbedded  among  the  sugar  plums.  The  Assembly 
rooms  were  fitted  up  with  great  magnificence.  Miss 
Meredith  "looked  a  fairy  in  fairy  land."  Her  ele- 
gance, grace,  and  peculiar  naivete,  were  greatly  ad- 
mired. Mrs.  T.  Oldfield  was  charming  and  fascinat- 
ing, and,  with  Mrs.  N.  P.  Willis,  was  conspicuous  in 
the  reel.  Mrs.  Skinner  was  dressed  in  a  very  beauti- 
ful though  old-fashioned  style.  Miss  Ackerman  and 
her  sister  from  the  South,  had  many  distinguished 
men  in  their  train.  Miss  Traverse  was  a  brilliant 
beauty,  Miss  Belt  a  perfect  Hebe ;  Miss  M.  Patterson 


190  Jackson's  administratiox. 

— of  a  race  that  adorned  the  highest  ranks  of  the  Brit- 
ish court — ^vas  elegantly  attired;  Miss  Carroll  too; 
and  her  name  and  lineage  were  a  passport.  Among  the 
debutants  were  two  lovely  daughters  of  Judge  Ma- 
gruder.  Miss  C.  Barney  called  to  mind  the  lovely 
Rowcna,  and  Miss  E.  Gilmore's  smile  was  bewitching. 

The  cake  was  placed  on  a  table  in  the  supper  room. 
Scores  of  lovely  girls  and  expectant  gentlemen  were 
crowding  around  it,  eager  to  obtain  the  prize.  "I've 
got  only  a  plum  !"  cried  one.  "I've  eaten  the  whole 
slice,  but  there's  no  ring,"  exclaimed  another.  At 
last  there  Avas  a  burst  of  merriment,  and  a  soft  hand, 
that  of  the  mayor's  daughter,  held  up  the  prophetic 
ring.  J.  P.  Kennedy,  one  of  the  principal  literary 
men,  was  there ;  also  Major  Yan  Buren,  said  to  be 
eno-ao-ed  to  a  western  lad  v,  whom  he  had  seen  bloom- 
ing  somewhere  among  the  prairies,  during  his  Black 
Hawk  expedition.  There  was  also  Judge  Thompson, 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  Mr.  West,  the  son  of  Lord 
Delamar,  Mr.  Dangerfield,  and  others. 

"  The  President's  palace  was  closed  to  the  fashion- 
ables this  whole  session,  in  consequence  of  the  indis- 
position and  death  of  Mrs.  Donelson.  The  theatre 
and  concert  were  the  resort  of  the  hecm  monde ;  the 
fashionables  holding  back  for  a  splendid  flincy  ball,  to 
be  given  by  the  patroness  of  the  blondes.  The  la- 
dies sometimes  made  a  great  noise  in  the  gallery,  and 
were  now  and  then  called  to  order,  or  requested  to 
be  less  talkative.  While  Colonel  Bell  was  Speaker 
of  the  House,  he  sent  up  a  messenger  to  inform  a 
party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  sat  in  front  of 
the  chair,  that  their  courtship  must  be  carried  on  in 


MISS    MARTIXEAU'S    TRUMPET.  191 

a  lower  key  or  elsewhere,  if  they  did  not  wish  him 
to  he  acquainted  with  it.  Miss  Martineau  was  in  the 
gallery  one  day,  and  surrounded  hy  a  crowd  of  such 
as  thought  they  derived  importance  from  her  com- 
pany. She  was  unfortunately  deaf,  and  used  a  silver 
trumpet,  applied  to  her  ear  when  she  wanted  to  hear 
what  was  said  to  her.  The  noise  in  her  immediate 
circle  was  considerahle.  The  rough  door-keeper  came 
to  her  and  told  her  she  must  make  less  noise.  Miss 
Martineau  immediately  applied  the  tube  to  her  ear. 
"You  needn't  put  that  'ere  thing  to  your  ear;  you 
make  noise  enough  without  it,"  growled  the  old  Cer- 
berus, to  the  amazement  of  the  illustrator  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  political  economy. 

When  the  gallery  of  the  House  had  been  fearfully 
crowded,  at  the  trial  of  Judge  Peek,  a  little  chunk  of 
a  man  had  got  wedged  into  one  corner,  and  appre- 
hensive of  being  smothered,  he  made  a  desperate  at- 
tempt to  get  out,  crying  lustily  for  egress. 

"Order I"  shouted  the  marshaL  The  burly  little 
prisoner  still  endeavored  to  make  his  way  to  the 
door,  repeating  the  cry,  "  let  me  o-ut." 

"  Order  in  the  gallery  ! "  again  thundered  the  mar- 
shal. "  If  you  don't  keep  order,  I'll  turn  you  out." 
"That's  just  what  I  want!"  screamed  the  little  man. 
"Let  me  out  or  turn  me  out,  I  don't  care  which." 
The  whole  gallery  and  chamber  v>'ere  in  a  roar. 

The  most  gifted  of  the  delegation  from  Ohio  was 
Mr.  Corwin.  He  astonished  the  House  by  his  elo- 
quent speech  against  the  bill  reducing  the  Tariff  in 
January  of  this  year.  Mr.  William  C.  Preston,  in  the 
Senate,  exhibited  his  usual  splendor  of  declamation 


192  Jackson's  administratiox. 

and  rhetorical  colorino*.  His  declamation  was  thonfjht 
by  some  too  artificial.  General  Ward  was  called 
"  The  Chesterfield  of  the  House/'  and  George  lY. 
could  not  have  made  a  more  condescending  bow  than 
he,  to  everybody  he  met. 

Mrs.  R.  M.  Whitney's  party  was  a  splendid  affair, 
and  the  refreshments  were  abundant.  The  ex-Presi- 
dent, Heads  of  Departments,  Foreign  Ministers,  Mr. 
Fox  excepted,  and  members  of  Congress,  were  among 
the  guests.  Mr.  C.  C.  Cambrel  in  g  was  conspicuous, 
and  pronounced  superior  to  his  great  model,  Julius 
Csesar,  in  his  three  Cs :  for  he  might  have  said  "I 
came,  I  caught,  I  conquered."  Mrs.  Cambreling  was 
noted  for  grace  and  suavity  of  manners. 

The  chamber  occupied  by  the  Supreme  Court  had 
now  become  a  place  of  fashionable  resort.  It  w\as 
then  immediately  under  the  Senate  chamber,  and 
lighted  from  the  east.  The  Judges  wore  robes ;  the 
clerk  of  the  court  was  a  pompous  appendage  to  the 
bar,  dealing  in  the  grandiloquent  style.  Each  Judge 
was  furnished  with  a  handsome  mahogany  desk  sur- 
rounded by  a  plain  railing,  and  a  mahogany  arm-chair 
covered  with  velvet.  A  desk  was  set  apart  near  the 
clerk's  table  for  the  Attorney-General,  and  cushioned 
sofas  were  placed  on  each  side  of  the  room  for  the 
audience.  Judge  Baldwin,  among  those  who  occu- 
pied the  bench,  was  a  Pennsylvanian,  plain  in  his 
manners,  social  in  his  habits  and  amiable  in  his  dispo- 
sition. He  treated  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  humble 
and  the  exalted,  with  equal  courtesy  and  kindness. 
While  a  member  of  Congress,  it  was  said  of  him,  as 
once  of  Sheridan, he  alwavs,  "hit  the  House  between 


AXTECEDEXTS    OF    THE    CHIEF    JUSTICE.  193 

wind  and  water."  He  was  a  sound  lawyer,  and  ex- 
ceedingly popular.  Judge  McLean  was  in  person 
tall,  well-formed,  and  graceful;  sedate,  grave  and 
modest ;  regular  in  his  habits,  temperate  in  all  things, 
laborious  and  indefatigable  in  the  discharge  of  every 
duty.  He  made  up  by  industry  for  the  want  of  quick- 
ness. His  judgment  was  never  warped  by  prejudice, 
nor  led  into  error  by  the  imagination.  He  never  al- 
lowed feelino^  to  enter  into  his  legral  investi^-ations : 
though  it  was  indicated  by  acts  of  benevolence  and 
generous  sympathy.  His  mind  was  more  logical  than 
metaphysical,  and  he  liked  demonstration  better  than 
speculation. 

A  newspaper  writer  described  at  a  party :  "  That 
tall,  narrow-fiiced,  but  good-looking  man — the  Chief- 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  and  I,  some  thirty 
years  ago,  were  small  lawyers  in  a  small  county  court 
in  Maryland,  satisfied  with  the  humblest  fee  for  wear 
and  tear  of  intellect ;  and  now  he  is  at  the  head  of 
the  highest  judicial  tribunal  in  the  United  States. 
When  I  first  knew  him  he  had  an  impediment  in  his 
speech,  which  he  still  retains,  but  to  a  much  less  ex- 
tent. He  was  exceedingly  modest,  retiring  and  unas- 
suming. As  he  rose  at  the  bar  his  ambition  became 
inflamed,  and  he  plunged  into  the  vortex  of  party 
politics,  and  became  a  federal  demagogue  in  a  State 
where  democracy  had  the  ascendency.  He  devoted 
his  days  and  nights  to  his  profession ;  was  made  At- 
torney-General ;  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury; — and  finally  was  elevated  to  the  Chief-Justiceship 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  the 
place  of  one  ^  whose  like  we  ne'er  shall  see  again.' 


194  Jackson's  admixistkation. 

"That  gentleman  of  medium  size  and  intelligent 
countenance,  with  gray  hairs,  and  \spectacles  on  nose' 
is  his  associate,  and  should  have  been  the  Chief  Jus- 
tice. Judge  Story  is  a  man  who,  like  Blackstone,  com- 
menced life  as  a  poet,  and  published  a  volume  on 
Solitude.  He  is  a  fine  helles  lettres  scholar,  writes 
well  on  all  subjects,  and  is  profoundly  versed  in  the 
science  of  jurisprudence.  His  mind  is  acute,  pene- 
trating, and  comprehensive,  not  too  refining  and  met- 
aphysical, but  by  the  application  of  anal^'sis  arriving 
at  just  conclusions  and  reaching  truth  by  the  process 
of  sound  logic.  Though  his  arduous  judicial  func- 
tions require  much  of  his  time  and  attention,  he  is 
noted  in  the  various  walks  of  literature  and  science. 
He  relaxes  his  mind  by  strolling  amid  the  groves  of 
the  Academy,  or  reposing  in  the  bower  of  the  muses." 

A  delegation  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes 
of  Indians  was  in  Washington  on  business  in  Febru- 
ary. They  wxre  a  w^ild,  ferocious-looking  set,  in  dirty- 
blankets,  their  faces  daubed  with  red  paint  and  their 
heads  ornamented  with  feathers. 

"  I  sat  the  other  day  by  a  group  of  ladies  in  black ; 
one  about  forty,  with  a  very  intelligent  and  animated 
countenance.  On  her  right  sat  a  much  older  woman. 
The  first  listened  to  Colonel  Bell,  who  was  then  speak- 
ing, with  intense  interest,  appearing  absorbed  in  the 
subject  he  was  discussing.  Her  companion  threw  out 
an  observation  now^  and  then  in  the  Irish  accent,  which 
evinced  real  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  of  men  and 
things  in  Ireland.  Curran,  G rattan,  Phillips,  Fitzger- 
ald, Lady  Morgan,  &c.,  w^ere  sketched  with  accuracy 
and  fluency. 


DISTINGUISHED    LADIES.  195 

"^Who  are  those  ladies?'  I  said  to  my  fair  young 
friends,  the  Misses ,  who  had  just  come  in. 

"^One  is  the  Avife  of  the  ex-Speaker  of  the  House, 
a  lady  of  fine  sense  and  feeling ;  the  other  is  the 
widow  of  the  celebrated  Wolfe  Tone,  the  motlicr  of 
young  Wolfe  Tone,  and  the  mother-in-law  of  the 
daughter  of  Sampson.  She  is  a  remarkable  woman, 
and  her  career  in  life  has  also  been  remarkable. 
She  is  now  Mrs.  Wilson,  and,  I  believe,  again  a 
widow ;  a  lone  Avoman  in  this  wide  world,  and  in  a 
foreiiTrn  land.' 

'' '  And  what  hne-lookino:  woman  is  that  in  a  colored 
dress  to  our  left,  so  dignified  and  conversational  ? ' 

"^That  is  the  wife  of  the  late  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  Mrs.  H.  L.  White,  a  lady  of  good  undei- 
standing,  agreeable  manners,  and  no  little  ambition.'  " 

There  w^ere  two  parties  every  night  in  February, 
1837.  Washington  presented  a  continual  scene  of 
speaking  by  day,  and  dancing  and  feasting  by  night. 
Among  the  distinguished  guests,  w^as  Power  the  actor, 
who,  after  despatching  his  theatrical  duties,  ^\as  Avont 
to  relax  himself  among  the  fashionables,  abandoning 
the  Irish  gentleman  on  the  stage  for  the  Irish  gentle- 
man in  societv.  The  wdiole  world  assembled  on  the 
8th  February  to  witness  the  ceremony  of  counting 
the  electoral  votes  for  President  and  Vice-President. 
It  took  place  at  noon  in  the  Hall  of  Representatives. 

It  had  been  officially  announced,  through  the  Globe 
that  the  President's  big  cheese  w^as  to  be  distributed 
among  those  who  pleased  to  visit  him  on  the  birth- 
day of  Washington.  The  Senate  adjourned  at  an 
early  hour,  the  volunteer  companies  turned  out  and 


196 

the  inhabitants  of  the  three  cities  of  the  District,  of 
all  ranks  and  conditions,  repaired  to  the  Palace.  The 
Presidential  mansion  was  crammed. 

The  cheese  was  certainly  enormous,  and  about  twice 
the  weight  of  the  mammoth  one  sent  to  Jefferson. 
It  had  been  surrounded  by  a  belt,  on  which  had  been 
painted  the  words  applied  to  Jackson  by  Branch, 
"  The  Greatest  and  the  Best,"  with  his  own  senti- 
ment, '*  The  Union  must  be  preserved." 

''  By  the  powers,"  said  a  raw  Irishman,  taking  an 
enormous  mouthful  of  cheese,  "  it  may  be  the  great- 
est, but  it's  far  from  bein'  the  best." 

A  lady  asked  what  animal  it  was  intended  to  repre- 
sent on  the  cloth  that  covered  the  cheese.  Some  one 
said,  the  cow  from  the  milk  of  which  it  was  made. 
Another  cried,  "  The  cow !  The  donor,  in  his  letter 
to  the  President,  said  it  was  made  by  two  hundred 
and  sixty  cow^s." 

The  old  President  stood  shaking  hands  with,  and 
receiving  the  salutations  of  his  numerous  visitors  as 
long  as  he  could  stand.  The  east  room,  splendidly 
furnished,  and  looking  like  a  fairy  palace,  was  crowded, 
and  the  company  was  emphatically  mixed,  a  curious 
mixture  of  democracy  and  aristocracy.  At  one  mo- 
ment one  was  knocked  against  the  wall  by  a  sturdy 
hack-driver  and  his  fat  spouse,  and  at  the  next  pressed 
by  a  lovely  creature,  under  the  protection  of  a  foreign 
minister;  at  one  moment  the  scent  of  eau-de-cologne 
and  otto  of  roses  was  deliciously  inhaled,  and  the  next 
the  smell  of  garlic  and  odor  of  brimstone  assailed  the 
olfactories.  '-At  a  levee  a  few  years  ago,"  said  one, 
"Sir  Charles  Yaughan  rolled  up  to  the  Palace  in  his 


IXCOXYENIEXCE    OF    DEjIOCIIACY.  197 

Carriage,  in  his  court  dress,  to  pay  his  respects  to  the 
President;  but  he  saw  such  a  crowd  of  all  sorts  and 
descriptions  pushing  into  the  Executive  Mansion,  that 
he  cried  out  roughly  to  his  coachman  to  drive  home, 
*This  is  too democratic  for  me  ! '" 

'•Bless  his  old  heart!"  cried  a  portly  woman, 
wedged  into  one  corner  of  the  splendid  room,  and 
dressed  in  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  "How  sorry 
I  shall  be  when  he  goes  away.  My  darter  Eberline  has 
been  to  visit  the  Gineral  several  times,  and  shook 
hands  with  him  twice.  She  says  how  he  spoke  to 
her  so  kind  and  affectionate,  she  could  almost  have 
hugged  the  dear  old  man.  And  did  yow  not  observe 
how  he  smiled  when  he  shook  hands  with  me!  I 
vow  he's  the  most  agreeablest  old  man  I  ever  seen. 
But  don't  you  think  there's  a  wast  deal  of  wulgarity 
here  to-day?" 

"In  this  administration,"  said  her  escort,  "these 
mixtures  are  allowed.  For  my  part,  I  always  likes 
genteel  society,  and  abominates  what  is  vulgar." 

"And  so  does  I,"  said  the  lady  with  a  toss  of  her 
head. 

At  the  door  was  a  splendid  barouche,  which  had 
been  presented  to  General  Jackson.  It  vras  made  en- 
tirely of  the  wood  of  the  old  frigate  Constitution. 

Captain  Isaac  Phillips,  a  worthy  and  respectable 
officer  of  the  navy,  had  been  peremptorily  dismissed 
by  the  elder  Adams,  for  permitting  a  British  frigate 
to  muster  on  deck  the  crew  of  an  x\merican  sloop-of- 
war  under  his  command,  for  the  purpose  of  impress- 
ing British  subjects.  He  applied  to  General  Jackson 
to  appoint  him  to  office  in  consideration  of  his  perse- 


198  Jackson's  administration. 

cution  by  Adams ;  and  said  the  gentleman  now  hold- 
ing the  appointment  of  navy  agent  at  Baltimore  had 
held  it  many  years.  "That  proves  him  worthy  of 
confidence,"  replied  the  General.  Captain  Phillips 
then  remarked  that  the  incumbent  was  rich  and  did 
not  require  the  office.  "Then"  replied  the  hero, "  he 
has  no  inducement  to  be  dishonest;"  the  General  all 
the  while  calmly  smoking  his  pipe,  his  feet  resting 
on  the  mantel-piece.  The  Captain  resolved  to  make 
a  last  desperate  effort.  "I  have  an  aged  wife,"  he 
pleaded,  "  we  are  fast  declining  into  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death  in  wretched  poverty  -,  this  little 
office  would  give  us  the  comforts  of  life,  and  speed 
our  downward  path  to  the  tomb."  The  General 
dropped  his  feet  to  the  floor,  laid  his  pipe  on  the  ta- 
ble, called  for  pen  and  ink,  wrote  a  note  and  handed 
it  to  Captain  Phillips. 

"Here  is  an  order  for  your  appointment;  take  it 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  If  this  little  office  is 
not  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  its  possessor,  and  will 
make  yourself  and  your  aged  wife  happy,  jou  shall 
have  it."  Captain  Phillips  took  the  note  to  Governor 
Branch,  but  w^as  informed  it  came  too  late ;  that  Mr. 
James  Bealty,  of  Baltimore,  had  been  recommended 
by  political  friends  of  the  administration;  that  his 
nomination  was  before  the  Senate  and  that  he  would 
not  recall  it.  Phillips  returned  to  the  President  and 
told  him  the  result.    "He  won't  recall  it?"  exclaimed 

Jackson.     "  Then,  by  the ,  I  will !  Mr.  Secretary. 

fill  up  a  nomination  for  Captain  Isaac  Phillips ;  carry 
it  to  the  Senate  Chamber,  recall  the  nomination  of 
James  Bealty,  and  substitute  the  one  for  Isaac  Phil- 


JACKSOX'S    OPINION    OF    IMPROVEMENTS.         199 

lips,"  In  a  few  days  the  Captain  received  his  com- 
mission. Presenting  himself  to  Governor  Branch  for 
instructions,  he  expressed  his  gratitude.  "You  owe 
me  nothing,"  said  the  Governor,  "  I  did  all  in  my 
power  to  prevent  it.  General  Jackson  rules  in  all 
and  over  all." 

The  distinnfuished  statesman  Louis  McLane,  who 
was  minister  to  England,  then  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, then  Secretary  of  State,  winning  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  all  who  associated  with  him,  eminent 
m  ability,  and  most  competent  to  judge  of  the  ability 
of  others,  averred  that  General  Jackson  was  a  greater 
man  than  any  member  of  his  Cabinet.  He  withered 
and  annihilated  every  man  who  dared  oppose  his  iron 
will.  He  buried  in  the  tomb  of  the  Capulets  that 
leviathan,  the  Bank  of  the  United  States;  that  dis- 
tinguished financier,  that  truly  honest  and  upright 
man,  Nicholas  Biddle,  dying  of  a  broken  heart.  Grief 
had  slain  him :    his  poverty  vindicating  his  integrity. 

General  Jackson's  prejudices  were  indomitable. 
On  one  occasion  his  influence  was  solicited  m  favor 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railway,  and  it  was  urged 
that  benefits  would  accrue  to  the  rich  valley  of  the 
Mississippi  by  the  facility  of  intercourse  with  the  At- 
lantic border.  "  Sir,"  he  answered,  "  it  is  a  rebellion 
against  Providence.  If  it  had  been  designed  that  the 
produce  of  the  western  world  should  find  its  market 
on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  the  great  rivers  of  the 
West  would  have  flowed  in  that  direction." 

The  social  brilliancy  of  General  Jackson's  adminis- 
tration was  generally  acknowledged,  and  will  long  be 

remembered.     In  no  city  in  the  Union  could  there  be 
13 


200  Jackson's  administration. 

found  a  more  polished  and  refined  society  than  in 
Washington  at  this  period.  Foreigners  of  high  rank^ 
citizens  of  wealth,  men  of  the  most  distinguished  in- 
tellect and  learning,  with  ladies  the  most  lovely  and  re- 
fined, were  assembled  there  during  the  congressional 
terms.  The  constant  presence  and  association  of  suck 
persons  naturally  gave  a  tone  and  polish  to  the  man- 
ners of  the  place  not  to  be  found  ta  the  same  extent 
in  other  cities.  Some  thought  the  manners  of  the  gen- 
tlemen artificial  and  affected,  allowing  the  women, 
however,  natural  tact,  with  much  grace  and  elegance. 
Fashionable  society  in  the  capital,  then  as  now, 
was  accessible  to  all  who  pleased  to  enter  it.  There 
was  no  aristocracy  of  vrcalth  to  form  an  exclusive 
circle  or  present  a  barrier  to  the  less  affluent.  Many 
families  depended  upon  government  for  the  means  of 
subsistence,  and  the  only  difference  among  them  arose 
from  the  difference  of  income  which  they  received, 
which,  of  course,  governed  their  manner  of  living  and 
regulated  their  expenditures.  Example  had  its  effect 
in  Washington,  as  it  has  in  all  other  communities. 
The  President  opened  his  drawing-room  periodically 
for  the  reception  of  those  who  pleased  to  visit  him  on 
those  occasions.  The  heads  of  departments  and  bu- 
reaus, foreign  ministers,  &c.,  gave  dinner  and  evening 
parties  during  the  session  to  members  of  Congress, 
strangers  of  distinction,  &c.,  on  a  visit  to  the  capital ; 
and  this  was  followed  up  to  an  almost  ruinous  extent 
by  the  subordinate  officers  of  government,  clerks  and 
citizens,  who  thought  they  must  become  a  part  of  the 
fashionable  circle.  To  the  soirees  of  the  secretaries 
and  others,  invitations  were  sent  out  usually  about 


SOCIAL    MAXXERS.  201 

eight  or  nine  days  in  advance,  and,  of  course,  no  one 
was  expected  to  go  who  was  not  an  invited  guest. 
An  invitation,  however,  was  easily  procured  by  a 
stranger  who  had  any  standing  in  society,  by  leaving 
his  card  before  the  soiree  was  given.  The  hotel  books 
were  regularly  examined,  and  invitations  were  sent 
to  the  stranger  or  foreigner  of  note  newly  arrived. 
Lions  were  as  eagerly  sought  after  in  Washington  as 
in  the  circles  in  London.  A  constant  requisition  was 
made  upon  members  of  Congress ;  they  were  the  life 
of  all  companies,  and  a  necessary  ingredient  in  the 
composition  of  fashionable  parties.  Some  of  them, 
who  were  at  first  exceediugly  rough,  contrived  to 
throw  off  the  awkwardness  and  rusticity  of  former 
habits,  and  mingled  freely  in  society.  As  a  man's 
standing  and  consequence  were  tested  by  the  figure 
he  made  in  fashionable  circles,  every  one  was  anxious 
to  be  initiated,  and  to  play  his  part  as  conspicuously  as 
possible.  These  efforts  to  be  classed  with  the  fashion- 
ables were  attended  with  expenses  which  the  circum- 
stances of  but  few  could  justify.  A  carriage,  servants 
m  livery,  fine  furniture,  splendid  apparel — especially 
among  the  women,  who  were  as  passionately  fond  of 
dress  as  in  other  cities — good  wine,  and  all  the  other 
"pride,  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious"  fashion 
had  to  be  procured.  The  man  who  attended  parties 
w^as  expected  to  give  them,  and  in  striving  to  keep 
up  appearances  insolvency  was  too  often  the  result. 
Some,  however,  were  very  sagacious  in  maintaining 
their  rank.  They  lived  sparingly,  and  except  when 
they  gave  parties  or  were  invited  to  them,  observed 
the  strictest  economy. 


202  Jackson's  admixisteatiox. 

A  writer  of  the  day  described  the  bachelor  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  as  :  "not  in  the  least  bellicose,  very 
close  in  his  private  matters,  and  not  inclined  to  be 
profuse  in  his  public  expenditures.  In  this  particular 
he  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  another  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,  ^vho  filled  the  office  some  twenty  years 
ago.  He  boarded  with  a  lady  who  kept  a  boarding- 
house  near  Georgetown,  and  always  dined  with  a 
small  flask  of  wine  containing  about  half  a  pint, 
from  which  he  was  wont  to  help  himself,  but  asked 
no  one  else  at  the  table  to  join  him.  When  he  had 
finished  his  dinner  he  carried  off  his  precious  casket, 
to  be  reproduced  at  the  succeeding  repast.  The  pres- 
ent Secretary  also  boards ;  is  in  the  habit  of  going  to 
all  the  parties  to  which  he  is  invited,  but  seems  to 
have  conscientious  scruples  about  giving  any  himself. 
His  pantaloons,  like  his  speeches,  are  always  too  brief, 
and  his  coat,  like  his  reports,  too  long.  When  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Senate,  he  never  failed  to  advocate  the 
duty  on  iron,  having  iron  works  himself;  and  he  was 
said  to  be  the  most  ironical  speaker  in  that  body.  He 
is  tall,  and  the  wags  say  he  is  very  lofty  and  elevated 
in  his  notions." 

Mrs.  Edward  Livingston  was  so  preeminent  in 
Washington  society,  that  no  apology  is  made  for  the 
introduction  of  an  authentic  sketch  of  her  life;  no 
memoir  of  her  having  ever  before  been  published. 

Mrs.  Edward  Livingston  was  born  in  the  Island  of 
St.  Domingo  in  the  year  1782.  She  was  descended 
from  a  French  family  of  which  several  members  have 
distinguished  themselves  in  literature  and  politics. 
Her  grandfather  Pierre  Valentin  D'Avezac  de  Castera 


MEMOIR    OF    MRS.  EDWARD    LIVINGSTON.  203 

was  of  the  ancient  family  of  the  Seigneurs  of  Avezac 
in  Neboussau,  but  of  the  younger  branch,  that  of  the 
Seigneurs  of  Castera,  settled  in  Bigorre.  Pierre  Val- 
entin himself  was  a  younger  son.  His  father,  who 
reserved  for  this  son's  only  patrimony,  some  ecclesias- 
tical benefices  which  he  possessed  in  the  DiocCvSe  of 
Tarbes,  destined  him  for  the  Church,  and  sent  him  to 
Paris  to  study  at  the  Sorbonne,  When  prepared  to 
take  orders,  young  D'Avezac  showed  inclinations  little 
in  conformity  with  his  father's  intentions ;  and  to 
escape  the  ecclesiastical  profession,  he  suddenly  em- 
barked for  Martinique  in  the  year  1748,  and  thence 
went  to  St.  Domingo.  His  talents  and  perseverance 
soon  gave  him  prominence  among  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Island.  He  held  successively  military  and  legal 
offices  of  importance  under  the  colonial  government, 
and  having  finally  become  a  planter,  showed  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  his  lands,  ability  that  gave  him  great  influ- 
ence. He  proposed  the  construction  of  a  canal  for  the 
purpose  of  fertilizing  the  beautiful  vidley  of  the  Fond, 
and,  in  the  absence  of  a  professional  engineer,  under- 
took himself  to  have  it  made  by  his  own  slaves.  He 
had  to  contend  with  difficulties  and  embarrassments 
to  accomplish  his  purpose,  but  these  were  settled  to 
his  honor  by  the  intervention  of  the  Comte  d'Argout, 
Lieutenant  Governor,  and  the  award  in  judgment  of 
the  Prince  de  Pohan,  Governor-General  of  the  Island. 
D'Avezac  had  married,  in  the  year  1752,  Marie 
Therese  de  Linois,  a  near  relative  of  the  vice-admiral 
of  that  name.  By  her  he  had  five  children,  of  whom 
the  second  son  was  the  father  of  Mrs.  Livingston. 
Jean   Pierre  Valentin  Joseph  D'Avezac  de   Castera 


204  Jackson's  administration. 

was  born  in  175G  at  St.  Domingo.  He  was  one  of 
the  DejDuties  elected  in  1790,  by  the  great  planters 
in  St.  DomingOj  to  form  the  famous  Assemblee  Gen- 
erale  of  St.  Marc,  that  imdertook  to  resist  the  spread- 
ing of  the  revolutionary  spirit  of  France  into  the 
colonies.  The  Deputies,  eighty-five  in  number,  em- 
barked on  board  the  "  Leopard  "  for  Paris,  to  encoun- 
ter the  storm.  On  arriving  at  Brest  they  were  re- 
ceived with  enthusiasm,  but  Avhen  they  reached  Paris, 
the  national  assembly  treated  them  as  aristocrats  and 
took  sides  with  tjieir  adversaries.  On  their  return  to 
St.  Domingo  they  continued  their  opposition  to  the 
revolutionary  ideas,  in  the  colonial  assembly.  But. 
the  insurrections  of  the  mulattoes  received  encourage- 
ment from  the  party  then  dominant  in  France,  and  the 
planters  were  obliged  to  seal  with  their  blood  the 
cause  they  had  espoused.  D'Avezac  had  two  sons 
killed  in  expeditions  in  which  they  commanded  de~ 
tachments  sent  against  the  insurgents.  His  younger 
brother  and  his  brother-in-law  were  made  prisoners 
and  shot  at  Leogane  by  the  mulatto  general,  Rigaud. 
He  himself,  exhausted  by  vain  efforts  in  the  cause  of 
order  against  anarchy,  sought  refuge  in  exile  with 
his  family.  By  his  marriage  with  Marie  Rose  Valen- 
tine Genevieve  Tallary  de  Maragon,  he  had  remain- 
ing but  four  children.  The  eldest  son,  Auguste,  was 
afterwards  well  known  as  United  States  Charge  d'Af- 
fiiires  to  the  Hague  for  many  years.  Louise  D'Avezac, 
(later  Mrs.  Edward  Livingston)  was  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter. Her  mind  developed  at  a  very  early  age.  Her 
father,  in  surrounding  himself  with  all  the  refinements 
of  European  luxury  unusual  in  the  Island,  had  col- 


SELF-TExVCHIXG    BY    THE    CniLDREX.  205 

lected  a  large  library  to  which  the  child  was  allowed 
access.  She  learned  to  read^  no  one  could  tell  how. 
Mrs.  Livingston  in  speaking  of  this  in  after  life  used 
to  relate  that  one  day  while  her  mother  was  at  her 
toilet  undergoing  the  elaborate  process  of  having  her 
hair  dressed  and  powdered  according  to  the  fashion 
then  prevailing  in  France,  she  had  taken  up  a  glit- 
tering pomatum  jar  and  read  off  aloud  the  label  on 
it.  Her  father,  who  at  that  moment  entered  the 
room,  was  amazed  at  finding  the  little  girl  had  spared 
them  the  trouble  of  teaching  her  to  read.  From  that 
time  books  w^ere  her  passion.  Fortunately  her  in- 
stincts led  her  to  all  that  was  elevated  in  literature, 
for  no  one  guided  her  in  any  way.  Plutarch's  heroes 
became  the  objects  of  her  girlish  enthusiasm.  The 
classics,  ancient  and  modern,  in  prose  and  in  verse,were 
greedily  devoured,  and  these  treasures,  appropriated 
by  her  memory,  were  retained  through  life  to  extreme 
old  age,  for  she  never  forgot  what  she  had  acquired 
in  that  plantation  library.  Her  brother  Auguste, 
nearly  her  own  age,  shared  in  these  tastes.  When- 
ever one  of  the  two  was  consigned  for  some  youthful 
misconduct,  to  the  dark  closet  reserved  for  juvenile 
delinquents  in  all  countries,  the  other  would  crouch 
at  the  door  before  the  chattier e,  (an  opening  which  it 
was  the  custom  to  leave  under  doors  for  the  egress 
of  cats),  with  a  Virgil,  a  Tasso,  a  Racine  or  some  other 
work  equally  above  their  years,  and  reading  aloud  the 
magic  pages,  charm  away  the  solitude  of  the  captive 
w^ithin.  The  sports  of  these  children  partook  of  the 
same  spirit.  They  would  enact  whole  scenes  impro- 
vised from  the  Iliad,  the  Eneid  or  the  Jerusalem  De- 


206  JACKSON'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX. 

livcred,  and  the  little  girl  was  by  turns  Helen,  Dido 
or  Clorinda.  For  a  long  time  she  was  the  only  daugh- 
ter of  her  parents.  She  was  consequently  taught 
with  her  brothers,  and  shared  in  the  instructions  of 
their  tutor  until  the  youno;  men  were  sent  off  to  col- 
lege  in  France,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Island. 
She  was  then  left  to  finish  her  education  by  herself 
It  was  in  her  early  home  also,  that  she  first  learned 
to  love  the  works  of  nature.  Her  father's  estate  was 
beautifully  situated,  and  tropical  vegetation  gave  a 
peculiar  character  to  the  scene.  The  house  was  very 
spacious ;  her  father  had  lavished  his  great  wealth 
upon  it  and  adorned  it  with  European  taste  and  ele- 
gance. Terraces  bordered  with  orange  trees,  sur- 
rounded the  dwelling,  from  which  the  eye  wandered 
down  the  lono;  rows  of  cocoa-nut  trees  which  formed 
the  avenue  of  entrance  to  the  place. 

At  the  ai^e  of  thirteen  Louise  married  Monsieur 
Moreau  de  Lassy,  a  French  gentleman  of  fortune. 
He  took  her  to  Jamaica  to  reside,  having  there  large 
estates.  But  this  union  did  not  last  long.  At  eight- 
een she  w^as  a  widow,  and  returned  to  St.  Domingo  to 
live  with  her  parents.  The  revolutions  on  the  Island 
soon  followed,  and  her  father  left  it  to  prepare  a  refuge 
for  his  family  in  Norfolk,  Virginia.  But  immediately 
after  his  arrival  there  he  fell  ill  and  died  of  yellow 
fever,  broken-hearted  at  the  ruin  of  the  once  flourish- 
ing colony.  Her  mother  cHnging  to  the  hope  of  bet- 
ter days,  believed  she  could  best  serve  the  interests 
of  the  family  by  remaining  as  long  as  she  could  on 
the  plantation.  It  was  thought  best  that  Madame 
Moreau,  then  so  young  and  beautiful,  should  not  run 


niDIXG   IN   THE   WOODS.  207 

the  risk  of  remaining  too  long  amidst  the  dangers 
that  surrounded  her.  She  therefore  accompanied  her 
aged  grandmother  who  had  determined  upon  imme- 
diate emigration.  The  party  was  completed  by  an 
aunt  with  two  unmarried  daughters,  and  Madame 
Moreau's  little  sister,  a  child  six  years  of  age.  Those 
who  knew  Mrs.  Livingston  will  remember  hearing  her 
narrate  this  episode  of  her  early  history  in  her  own 
peculiarly  graphic  style.  She  would  describe  the 
English  frigate  hovering  round  the  Island,  offering 
means  of  escape.  A  time  had  been  appointed  to  re- 
ceive the  fugitives  on  board.  They  found  their  way 
to  the  shore  by  night  through  a  dense  forest.  There 
they  lay  concealed,  waiting  with  breathless  anxiety 
for  the  boat  which  was  to  come  to  their  rescue.  At 
day-break  they  heard  footsteps  approaching,  crunch- 
ing the  dry  twigs.  In  their  despair  they  drew  closer 
and  closer  together,  to  receive  the  death  blow.  A 
dog  now  came  bounding  upon  them  in  an  ecstasy  of 
joy.  Then  the  branches  which  surrounded  them 
were  cautiously  parted,  and  they  heard  the  well- 
known  voice  of  a  faithful  slave,  saying  in  the  French 
idiom  of  the  St.  Domingo  negroes  :  ^*  Mistress,  are  you 
there  ?  Don't  be  afraid,  it  is  I,  bringing  you  some 
food.  The  boat  will  not  be  here  until  night."  They 
waited  throughout  that  long  weary  day  until  it  came 
to  a  close,  and  the  shadows  of  evening  deepened 
upon  the  Island.  A  small  boat  was  then  seen  coming 
for  them  from  the  frigate.  It  reached  the  shore ; 
they  all  got  in,  and  the  sailors  began  to  row  off  again 
making  direct  for  the  ship.  Just  then  a  party  of 
negroes  came  in  sight.     Maddened  at  the  escape  of 


208  JACKSOX'S    ADMIXISTRATIOy. 

their  prey,  they  fired  a  volley  and  killed  the  old 
grandmother,  who  was  holding  in  her  arms  Madame 
Moreau's  little  sister/^'  The  child,  though  bespattered 
with  blood,  was  providentially  uninjured,  but  the  faith- 
ful slave  who  had  brousrht  them  food  and  aided  in 
their  escape  was  not  so  fortunate.  A  shot  from  the 
shore  stretched  him  out  lifeless  beside  his  aged  mis- 
tress. Reaching  at  last  the  French  frigate^  the  di- 
minished party  was  taken  safely  to  Jamaica.  Thence 
they  embarked  in  a  schooner,  readj^  to  sail,  as  it  hap- 
pened, for  New  Orleans.  The  schooner  was  so  small 
and  crowded  that  the  passengers  lay  in  heaps  all 
over  the  deck.  It  was  impossible  to  move  after  once 
getting  on  board.  In  addition  to  this,  a  contagious 
disease  broke  out,  of  which  several  persons  on  board 
died.  The  Yoyage  was  prolonged  by  adverse  winds 
and  storms.  At  last,  however,  they  reached  New 
Orleans,  where  many  exiles  from  St.  Domingo  had 
already  preceded  them,  thankful  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  life,  almost  all  they  had  left  them.  New  Or- 
leans was  at  this  period  in  a  state  of  transition.  It 
had  passed  not  long  before  from  the  hands  of  Spain 
into  those  of  France,  and  had  just  been  purchased 
by  the  United  States.  The  population  was  motley, 
tinged  with  the  various  national  characteristics  of 
successive  possessors.  Spaniards,  French,  Americans 
and  the  native  Creoles,  combined  to  make  up  this 
community  of  easy  and  primitive  manners.  The  old 
settlers  were  not  yet  reconciled  to  the  last  change 
of  rulers.  Prejudices  almost  amounting  to  supersti- 
tion made  them  regret  the  past  and  dislike  innova- 

*  Afterwards  married  to  Judge  Carleton  of  tlie  Supreme  Court  of  Louisiana. 


SETTLING  IX  NEW  ORLEANS.         209 

tlons  of  every  sort.  Every  accident  Avas  attributed 
to  the  mismanagement  of  the  Americans,  and  this 
idea  was  carried  so  flir  that  there  is  a  tradition  of  a 
public  ball  given  about  this  time  and  interrupted  by 
a  sudden  earthquake.  This  roused  the  ire  of  a  gallant 
old  Creole  gentleman  present,  who  was  heard  to  pro- 
claim, in  a  stentorian  voice,  "  Ce  n'etait  pas  du  temps 
des  Espagnols  et  des  Francais  que  le  plaisir  des  dames 
etait  ainsi  trouble  ! " 

The  D'Avezac  family  met  with  the  kindest  re- 
ception on  all  sides,  and  their  courage  under  such 
reverses  of  fortune,  excited  general  admiration. 
Madame  Moreau  established  herself  with  her  aunt, 
her  two  young  cousins  and  her  little  sister,  in  a  small 
and  humble  dwelling.  They  were  fortunate  in  the 
devotion  of  several  slaves  who  followed  them  in  their 
flight,  enabling  them  to  avoid  the  necessity  for  such 
domestic  drudgery  as  their  habits  and  education  little 
fitted  them  for.  In  the  beo^inninsr,  the  sale  of  some 
jewels  of  value,  which  they  had  succeeded  in  bring- 
ing away  with  them,  enabled  them  to  live.  But  the 
time  soon  came  when  the  younger  members  of  the 
family  were  obliged  by  their  handiwork  to  provide  for 
the  daily  maintenance  of  their  parents.  Mrs.  Living- 
ston in  after  years  spoke  of  this  with  great  pleasure. 
Never,  she  would  say,  had  we  been  happier  or  lighter- 
hearted.  After  the  mornings  passed  over  her  sew- 
ing, she  would  make  her  simple  toilet,  and  radiant  in 
youth  and  spirits,  would  pass  the  evenings  gayl}^  with 
her  cousins  in  the  midst  of  such  social  enjoyment  as 
could  be  found  around  them.  The  proverbially  aris- 
tocratic beauty  of  the  w^omen  of  St.  Domingo  was 


210  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

exemplified  bj  the  remarkable  appearance  of  the 
young  emigrees.  Their  presence  imparted  a  new 
lustre  to  the  simple  old  ball-room,  where  the  society 
of  New  Orleans  assembled  w^eekly,  without  ostenta- 
tion or  extravagance,  for  amusement  and  dancing. 
These  balls,  though  called  public,  were  scarcely  so  in 
reality.  The  whole  company  knew  each  other,  and 
met  by  common  consent,  admitting  none  but  those 
of  their  own  circle.  Orange  flower  syrup  and  eau 
Sucre  were  the  sole  refreshments.  Carriages  were 
unknown  in  those  primitive  days.  Even  to  go  to  the 
balls,  ladies  walked  in  their  satin  shoes,  preceded  by 
a  slave  carrying  a  lantern,  which  was  necessary  on 
account  of  the  dark  streets.  When  it  rained  or  the 
weather  was  bad,  the  ball  could  not  take  place.  This 
was  announced  by  a  crier,  to  the  sound  of  the  drum, 
a  signal  understood  by  all  that  the  ball  was  postponed 
until  the  next  fair  evening. 

It  was  at  one  of  these  primitive  entertainments 
that  Madame  Moreau  first  met  Mr.  Edward  Living- 
ston. He  had  recently  come  from  New  York  to  estab- 
lish himself  in  the  new  domain  secured  to  the  United 
States  chiefly  through  the  ability  of  his  brother,  Chan- 
cellor Livingston.  Mr.  Livinsrston  was  a  widower. 
He  had  left  his  two  children  in  New  York  with  their 
relations.  Although  he  was  twenty  years  older  than 
Madame  Moreau,  she  soon  appreciated  his  noble  in- 
tellect, and  above  all  things  the  goodness  so  charac- 
teristic of  this  distinguished  man.  On  the  other  hand 
he  was  not  slow  to  discover  that  beauty  and  grace 
were  not  the  only  gifts  which  nature  had  lavished  on 
the  young  widow.     They  were  married  on  the  3d  of 


MARKIAGE    WITH    MR.    LIYIXGSTOX.  211 

June,  1805.  One  of  Madame  Moreau's  young  cousins 
was  at  the  same  time  united  to  the  son  of  one  of  the 
most  esteemed  citizens  of  New  Orleans.  The  double 
wedding  took  place  at  midnight  in  the  chapel  of  the 
Ursuline  Convent,  (an  old  building  still  extant  in  New 
Orleans.)  Madame  Moreau  having  recently  lost  her 
venerable  aunt,  the  ceremony  was  private  and  but 
few  were  present  to  witness  it.  But  the  place,  the 
hour  and  the  circumstances,  made  it  most  impressive. 
The  chapel  dimly  lighted  with  wax  tapers,  and  sweet 
with  the  perfume  of  June  flowers;  the  nuns  behind 
their  grating,  unseen,  yet  revealing  their  presence  by 
their  chants ;  the  brides,  both  beautiful  and  one  sur- 
passingly so ;  no  one  who  saw  her  could  ever  forget 
her.  And  above  all,  the  remembrance  of  the  vicissi- 
tudes they  had  experienced,  and  the  haven  of  rest 
they  had  found,  all  combined  to  inspire  the  eloquence 
of  the  priest  officiating.  L'Abbe  de  Espinasse's  ad- 
dress on  the  occasion  left  no  one  unmoved.*" 

When  the  family  of  emigres  left  the  chapel  it  was 
not  to  return  to  the  modest  home  where  they  had 
all  lived  and  labored  together.  From  that  time  the 
little  household  was  broken  up.  Mrs.  Livingston's 
mother,  who  had  some  time  previously  come  to  New 
Orleans,  now  accompanied  her  to  her  new  home,  taking 
with  her  also  her  younger  daughter.  The  husband 
of  the  young  cousin  likewise  took  his  bride  and  her 
sister  to  his  house.  The  exiles  had  found  a  country 
and  their  destiny  was  fixed.     The  country  of  her 


*  Thirty  years  afterwards,  when  Mr.  Livingston  was  United  States'  Minister 
at  Paris,  lie  received  a  letter  from  this  gifted  ecclesiastic,  then  promoted  to  a 
bishopric  in  one  of  the  French  provinces. 


212  Jackson's  admixisteation. 

adoption  soon  became  also  that  of  Mrs.  Livingston's 
affections.  She  did  not  like  even  to  remember  that 
she  had  ever  had  another.  The  English  language 
■vvas  acquired  by  her  with  wonderful  rapidity.  Al- 
though she  always  retained  a  foreign  accent,  her  flu- 
ency and  elegance  of  diction  were  very  remarkable. 
She  had  the  gift  of  eloquence,  in  English  as  well  as 
in  her  native  tongue.  She  soon  made  herself  mistress 
of  the  new  literature  which  opened  before  her,  and 
her  conversation,  choice  in  its  expressions  but  never 
pedantic,  gave  evidence  of  her  fiimiliari ty  with  the 
best  English  authors.  Her  husband  guided  her  him- 
self in  this  new  held  of  knowledge.  She  soon  be- 
came interested  in  all  his  pursuits,  whether  literary, 
professional  or  personal.  Such  was  his  opinion  of  her 
judgment  and  good  taste,  that  he  was  never  satisfied 
with  any  composition  which  had  not  received  her  ap- 
proval. Mrs.  Livingston  laughingly  compared  her- 
self to  Moliere's  old  woman  upon  whom  he  tried  the 
effect  of  his  dramatic  compositions.  But  she  was  far 
from  playing  the  part  of  a  mere  listener.  Her  criti- 
cisms, freely  offered,  were  almost  always  accepted. 
When  Mr.  Livingston  had  been  engaged  in  any  suit 
of  importance,  involving  property  or  life,  he  was 
always  met  on  his  return  from  the  courts  at  the  street 
door,  (even  when  detained  until  the  middle  of  the 
night,)  by  his  anxious  w^ife,  flying  to  learn  the  results 
of  a  trial,,  the  merits  of  which  had  been  previously 
discussed  with  her.  Her  interest  in  his  cases  was  in- 
tense. When  the  cause  w\as  a  criminal  one,  and  Mr. 
Livingston  had  been  unable  to  save  the  life  of  the 
client  he  believed   innocent,  Mrs.  Livingston  would 


SOCIETY    IN    NEW    ORLEANS.  213 

be  days  recovering  from  her  disappointment.  She 
had  imbibed  her  husband's  views  on  the  inviolabiUty 
of  human  life,  and  would  weep  bitterly  over  the  fate 
of  the  unfortunate  being  who  was  doomed.  But  Mr. 
Livingston,  proverbially  successful  in  those  criminal 
cases  which  called  forth  all  his  sympathies  and  talents, 
generally  returned  home  triumphant.  Mrs.  Living- 
ston used  to  say  never  did  her  heart  swell  with  such 
grateful  pride  as  on  these  occasions  of  rejoicing  to  both. 
New  Orleans  now  became  the  home  of  several 
of  her  relations,  attracted  there  after  her  marriage. 
Her  brother  Auguste  D'Avezac,  and  her  uncle  Jules 
D'Avezac,  the  latter  called  by  his  talents  to  preside 
over  the  first  college  New  Orleans  boasted  of,  were 
inmates  of  her  home.  The  domestic  circle  was  a  charm- 
ing one.  Mr.  Livingston  had  been  the  jDrovidence 
of  the  family.  Often  in  summer,  literary  readings 
would  enliven  the  breakfast  table,  set  out  in  the  broad 
piazza  shaded  by  orange  and  fig-trees.  There  M. 
Jules  D'Avezac,  whose  genius  for  poetry  was  no  ordi- 
nary one,  would  bring  a  canto  of  his  translation  of 
Marmion  into  French  verse.  Mr.  Livingston,  the 
better  to  judge  of  its  merits,  would  take  the  original. 
This  translation  of  Marmion  was  afterwards  sent  by 
the  author  to  Sir  Walter  Scott,  who  was  much  pleased 
with  the  muse  that  repeated  his  songs  in  another 
hemisphere.  The  president  of  the  college  also  found 
time  to  employ  his  pen  on  more  serious  labors,  Mr. 
Livingston  having  selected  him  as  the  most  competent 
person  to  translate  into  French  the  Penal  Code,  to 
which  Mr.  Livingston  owes  his  European  celebrity. 
But  to  return  to  the  breakfast  table  from  which  we 


21-1  Jackson's  administration, 

have  wandered.  Augiiste  D'Avezac's  brilliant  con- 
versational powers  are  still  remembered  by  all  who 
knew  him.  Anecdote  after  anecdote  would  be  told 
by  him  with  j^eculiar  wit  and  humor.  Other  literary 
friends  would  drop  in^  and  the  circle  widen.  Mrs. 
Livingston  shone  the  presiding  genius  of  her  table, 
ever  considerate  of  others,  and  possessing  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  the  gift  of  drawing  out  the  talents  of  her 
guests,  and  making  them  appear  to  the  best  advan- 
tage. The  conversations  which  sprung  up  spontane- 
ously in  such  an  atmosphere,  were  instructive  without 
pedantry,  witty  without  malice,  gay  and  refined.  In 
the  evening  the  balcony,  (the  southern  reception-room 
in  warm  weather,)  was  the  resort  of  every  stranger  of 
distinction  who  visited  New  Orleans.  Scarcely  any 
Frenchmen  arrived  there  without  brincrincr  letters 
from  La  Fayette  to  his  friend  Mr.  Livingston.  The 
Lefevre  Desnouettes,  the  Lallemands,  the  La  Kanals 
and  a  host  of  others,  enjoyed  the  easy  and  refined 
hospitality  of  the  Chartres  Street  house.  The  dis- 
tinction of  manner  and  brilliant  powers  of  its  mistress 
carried  them  back  in  imagination  to  their  own  Pari- 
sian salons. 

About  this  time  w\ar  with  England  was  declared. 
The  story  of  General  Jackson's  first  dinner  in  New 
Orleans  is  worth  recording.  He  arrived  unexpect- 
edly. Mrs.  Livingston  had  for  that  day  invited  a  party 
of  fashionable  Ladies  to  a  grand  dinner,  and  she  was 
somewhat  annoyed  at  the  contretemps  when  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston announced  to  her  that  he  had  met  the  Gen- 
eral and  asked  him  to  join  their  party.  With  the 
ideas  prevailing  in  what  was  still,  in  manners,  a  French 


JACKSON'S    FIRST    DIXXER    IN    NEW    ORLEANS.     215 

province,  an  American  General  from  the  far  West 
seemed  a  poor  acquisition  to  the  entertainment.  Mrs. 
Livingston  thought  it  necessary  to  prepare  her  friends 
for  what  they  had  to  expect.  Great  therefore  was  the 
surprise  when  Gensral  Jackson  entered  the  room. 
Innate  dignity,  chivahic  courtesy,  perfect  self-posses- 
sion, marked  him  as  one  whom  nature  had  fashioned 
into  the  gentleman.  Taking  in  all  this  with  a  glance, 
it  was  with  renewed  pride  in  her  adopted  country  and 
its  generous  institutions,  that  Mrs.  Livingston  took 
the  General's  arm  to  be  led  in  to  dinner. 

A  few  days  after  this,  the  inhabitants  of  New  Or- 
leans were  listenino*  to  the  sound  of  battle  rairint^ 
close  at  hand.  From  Mr.  Livingston's  position  and 
the  friendship  existing  between  himself  and  General 
Jackson,  his  house  was  the  place  where  all  flocked  to 
hear  the  latest  news.  Another  circumstance  caused 
it  also  to  be  considered  a  place  of  refuge  among  the 
ladies.  After  the  battle  of  the  23d  of  December, 
while  escorting  a  party  of  wounded  prisoners  who 
were  being  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  Mr.  Livingston 
observed  among  them  a  young  officer  whose  appear- 
ance interested  him.  He  obtained  permission  from 
General  Jackson  to  take  him  home,  where  he  was 
left  during  his  illness  to  the  care  of  Mrs.  Livingston. 
Major  Graves  was  insensible  when  brought  to  the 
house.  He  was  placed  in  the  best  room,  and  every 
kindness  and  attention  were  lavished  on  him.  He 
used  to  say  that  he  never  could  forget  his  sensations 
of  amazement  and  gratitude  when  on  recovering  his 
senses,  he  found  himself  in  this  comparative  elysium, 

with  beautiful  women  surrounding  him  and  walv3hing 
14 


216  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

over  liim.     For  all  in  the  bouse  had  eagerly  joined 
Mrs.  Livingston  in  doing  what  they  could  for  the  sick 
stranger.     Other  prisoners  had  now  been  brought  into 
the  city.     Some   conspiracy^  fancied  or  real,  caused 
General  Jackson  to  issue  an  order  that  all  such  per- 
sons should  be  sent  back  at  once  to  the  camp  hospital. 
Major  Graves  was  still  in  too  critical  a   condition  to 
be  moved  without  risk.     Mrs.  Livingston  went  her- 
self to  General  Jackson.     She  asked  permission  to 
retain  him,  pleading  that  it  was  the  only  return  she 
would  desire  for  the  services  of  her  family.     Her  hus- 
band, step-son,  two  brothers  and  a  future  brother-in- 
law  were  all  there  engaged  in  the  defense  of  their 
country  and  personally  devoted  to  the  General.     Her 
eloquence  prevailed,  and  she  kept  her  prisoner,  the 
only  one  allowed  to  remain  in  the  city.     The  roof 
that  sheltered  him  w^as  now  supposed  to  be  invulner- 
able.    When  the  noise  of  the  cannon  gave  notice 
that  fighting  was   going   on,  w^omen  and    children 
flocked  to  Mrs.  Livingston's  for  safety.    Major  Graves, 
who  had  become  much  attached  to  the  family,  would 
at  such  times,  listen  to  the  sounds  wdth  anxiety,  ad- 
vising Mrs.  Livingston  to  leave  the  city  at  once  should 
it  be  taken,  and  never  to  remain  in  the  power  of  any 
conquering  army.     He  could  promise  to  die  for  them, 
he  said,  but  not  to  protect  them ;  his  presence  under 
those  circumstances  would  be  of  no  avail.     There  was 
however  no  necessity  for  protection  ;  the  victory  w\as 
ours.     Many  years  after  this,  in  the  latter  part  of  her 
life,  when  Mrs.  Livingston  w\as  a  great  invalid,  con- 
fined to  her  bed  in  Philadelphia,  a  card  was  brought 
1/0  her.    It  was  that  of  Major  Graves.    Passing  through 


MISS    CORA   LIVINGSTON.  217 

the  United  States,  he  had  heard  where  Mrs.  Living- 
ston was  and  had  called.  The  memory  of  her  for- 
mer kindness  had  never  been  eiFaced  from  his  mind. 

Shortly  after  the  war,  New  Orleans  was  visited  by 
the  yellow  fever.  During  these  epidemics,  Mrs.  Living- 
ston formed  part  of  a  society  of  ladies  who  went  about 
nursing  the  helpless  victims  of  this  terrible  disease. 
She  took  pleasure  in  these  offices  of  charity,  for 
which  she  was  fitted  by  a  natural  aptitude  to  take 
care  of  the  sick.     With  her  it  was  a  labor  of  love. 

When  still  young,  Mrs.  Livingston  was  fearful  of  fall- 
ing into  a  weakness  common  among  women,  of  con- 
cealing her  age.  Slie  therefore  gave  a  dinner  to  which 
she  invited  many  friends  and  acquaintances.  When 
all  were  assembled,  she  requested  them  to  drink  her 
health,  adding  :  '-  To-day  I  am  thirty  ;  if  I  should  be 
tempted  to  forget  it,  you  must  remind  me  of  it." 

She  had  but  one  child,  upon  whom  she  lavished  ex- 
traordinary maternal  devotion,  hardly  ever  suffering 
her  to  be  out  of  her  sight.  Her  daughter  had  scarcely 
reached  girlhood,  when  Mrs.  Livingston  assumed  the 
simplest  matronly  attire.  Ever  afterwards  she  seemed 
rather  displeased  than  flattered  when  allusions  were 
made  before  her,  to  her  own  still  remarkable  personal 
appearance.  All  self  was  merged  in  her  daughter. 
This  lovely  girl  was  a  celebrated  belle  in  Washingtor. 

In  1822  Mr.  Livingston  left  New  Orleans  to  enter 
political  life  as  member  of  Congress  from  Louisiana. 
He  afterwards  exchanged  his  seat  in  the  House  for 
one  in  the  Senate.  This  was  in  turn  relinquished  for 
the  office  of  Secretary  of  State,  which  he  resigned  in 
1833  to  go  to  France  as  Minister.     During  these  ten 


218  Jackson's  administration. 

years/ Mrs.  Livingston  spent  all  her  winters  in  Wash- 
ington. When  she  first  went  there  Mr.  Monroe  was 
President.  Mrs.  Monroe  was  lady-like,  gentle  and 
dignified  in  manner.  It  was  difficult  to  imagine  that 
anything  could  disturb  the  placid  serenity  of  her 
countenance.  Discriminatingly  courteous,  she  seemed 
born  to  adorn  the  high  position  she  occupied.  Around 
her  were  grouped  Mrs.  Adams,  the  gifted  wife  of  the 
then  Secretary  of  State,  whose  features  sparkled  with 
intelhgence ;  Mrs.  Richard  Eush,  polished  and  re- 
fined, a  model  of  native  elegance ;  Mrs.  Hays,  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  Monroe,  who  at  Madame  Campan's 
in  Paris,  had  become  intimate  with  Hortense  Beau- 
harnais,  after  whom  she  named  her  beautiful  dauf3:h- 
ter.*     There  were  also  many  others  of  note. 

After  the  death  of  Commodore  Decatur,  Mrs.  De- 
catur had  retired  to  Kalorama,  her  country-place,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Washington.  There  she  received,  at 
her  select  evenings,  all  the  most  agreeable  as  well 
as  prominent  persons  in  Washington.  When  Mrs. 
Adams  became  mistress  of  the  White  House,  her 
literary  tastes  and  range  of  thought  were  bonds  that 
drew  Mrs.  Livingston  and  herself  together,  notwith- 
standing the  different  politics  of  their  husbands. 
Washington  society  at  that  period  could  boast  of 
many  remarkable  women.  Among  others,  Mrs.  Van 
Renneslaer,  the  wife  of  the  Patroon,  as  he  was  still 
called,  was  distinguished  for  her  matronly  beauty, 
cultivated  mind  and  dio:nified  manners.  Mrs.  Steven- 
son,  the  Avife  of  the  Speaker,  did  not  require  beauty 
to  charm  her  listeners. 

*  Afterwards  married  to  Mr.  Lloyd  Rogers  of  Maryland. 


A   QUEEN   OF    SOCIETY.  219 

General  Jackson's  accession  to  the  Presidential 
honors  made  Mrs.  Livingston  still  more  prominent. 
The  friendship  that  existed  between  Mrs.  Livingston 
and  the  President,  as  well  as  her  being  the  wife  of 
the  Secretary  of  State,  gave  her  a  position  she  was 
well  calculated  to  fill.  Mr.  Livingston  left  to  her 
the  entire  direction  of  the  household,  confident  of 
those  powers  wdiicli  infused  taste  and  elegance  into 
every  arrangement.  She  had  a  special  gift  in  giv- 
ing entertainments  of  every  description.  Her  man- 
ner of  doing  the  honors  was  particularly  fascinating. 
Even  political  animosity  was  subdued  into  polite- 
ness, by  her  tact  and  kindness.  Mrs.  Livingston 
became  very  intimate  with  the  ladies  of  the  diplo- 
matic corps,  effectually  aiding  her  husband  in  his 
cordial  relations  with  the  European  representatives. 
Her  house  was  the  nucleus  as  it  were  of  foreio^n 
society  in  Washington,  The  duty  of  doing  the  honors 
of  the  White  House  having  devolved  on  General 
Jackson's  j'oung  niece  Mrs,  Donelson,  she  was  as- 
sisted and  guided  by  Mrs,  Livingston.  Mrs,  Donel- 
son w^as  unaffected  and  gentle,  with  an  agreeable  and 
lady-like  appearance. 

In  those  days,  as  in  New^  Orleans,  Mr.  Livingston 
discussed  all  the  serious  affairs  which  came  before 
him  with  his  wife.  In  one  of  his  letters,  he  speaks 
of  the  high  value  he  placed  upon  her  judgment  on 
every  occasion.  When  he  accepted  the  place  of 
Minister  to  France,  he  left  all  the  arrangements  for 
departure  to  her  ;  his  own  time  thus  reserved  for  the 
affairs  of  the  country.  His  reception  in  Paris  was  a 
ource  of  great  satisfaction  to  his  wife,     A  French- 


220 

woman  herself,  she  had  never  before  seen  France. 
Ilcr  mind  was  fully  prepared  for  the  intellectual  and 
social  feast  before  her.  Nevertheless  she  remained 
faithful  in  her  devotion  to  her  adopted  country.  She 
did  not  even  like  to  explain  how  she  came  to  speak 
the  language  so  purely,  and  when  complimented  about 
it,  would  simply  say  that  in  the  United  States  all  wo- 
men of  education  spoke  French.  The  dignity  of  the 
country  she  represented  was  above  all  things  dear  to 
her,  and  she  never  permitted  a  word  detrimental  to  it, 
in  her  presence.  The  Prussian  Ambassador  in  Paris 
one  day  spoke  of  Washington  as  a  village,  and  turning 
to  Mrs.  Livingston  asked  her  what  was  its  population. 
To  which  she  answered  courteously  but  with  a  smile  : 
''ii  peu  pres  celle  de  Potsdam."  On  another  occasion 
there  was  some  difficulty  about  certain  rights  claimed 
by  foreign  ministers  for  the  wives  of  the  secretaries 
of  legation.  M.  de  St.  Maurice,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
settle  these  points  of  etiquette,  expressed  surprise 
that  Mrs.  Livingston,  coming  from  a  republic,  should 
attach  any  importance  to  such  things.  To  which  she 
answered :  "  nous  devons  y  mettre  Timportance  que 
vous  y  attachez  vous  meme."  She  not  only  gained 
her  point  with  M.  de  St.  Maurice,  but  the  additional 
consideration  due  to  one  who  knew  her  rio^hts  and 
enforced  them,  great  or  small,  never  for  a  moment 
neglecting  what  was  due  to  her  country.  Mrs.  Liv- 
ingston was  appreciated  at  the  court  of  Louis  Philippe 
by  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the  day,  such  as 
Guizot,  Mignet  and  Villemain,  who  were  all  con- 
freres of  Mr.  Livingston  at  the  French  Institute.  M. 
de  Marbois  was  an  old  friend  of  his,  whom  he  had 


(VIRGINIA   I 


T3%^  iy  H.B  TTs 


Pa^e  3  64-. 


MKS.  LIVINGSTON    IN    PARIS.  223 

known  in  the  United  States.  He  was  so  aged  and 
infirm,  that  to  join  the  circle  in  Mrs.  Livingston's  sa- 
lon, he  would  be  carried  there  by  his  valet  de  pied, 
wdio  w^ould  place  him  in  an  arm-chair  for  the  evening. 
Once  seated,  he  would  delight  every  one  by  conver- 
sation full  of  interest,  information  and  benevolence. 
Chateaubriand  w^as  also  frequently  there,  but  he  too 
^Yas  old  and  broken.  The  Due  de  Broglie  w\as  then 
Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs.  Mrs.  Livingston's  inter- 
course with  Madame  de  Broglie  was  more  than  offi- 
cial. They  saw  each  other  often,  and  always  met  on 
Sunday  at  the  little  Protestant  chaj)el  in  the  Rue 
Taitbout.  Here  the  most  celebrated  ministers  of 
the  Reformed  Church  of  Geneva  preached.  Reserved 
seats  w'ere  not  known  in  this  simple  place  of  worship, 
and  the  daughter  of  Madame  de  Stael  sat  on  a  straw 
chair,  which  she  found  occupied  by  some  one  else  if 
she  arrived  too  late. 

Mrs.  Livingston  was  on  a  most  agreeable  footing 
with  the  royal  family.  The  Queen  and  Madame  Ad- 
elaide liked  to  receive  her  without  ceremony  in  their 
circle  of  intimates,  and  she  greatly  admired  the  digni- 
fied character  and  goodness  of  the  Queen.  It  was  of 
Queen  Marie  Amelie  that  General  La  Fayette  said : 
^•Quand  a  la  reine,  c'est  une  aristocrate."  The  im- 
press of  high  birth  and  breeding  marked  her  unmis- 
takably. She  never  forgot  her  rank,  but  that  rank 
was  never  made  oppressive  to  others. 

While  Mr.  Livingston  was  minister,  his  warm  and 
constant  friend  from  childhood,  General  La  Fayette, 
died.  Livingston  w\as  not  present  at  his  obsequies, 
beino;  at  the   time,  absent  in  Holland  with  his  w^fe. 


224  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

The  impression  she  produced  there  delighted  her 
brother  Auguste  D'Avezac,  then  the  United  States 
Charge  d '  Affiiires  at  the  Hague.  The  brother  and 
sister  met,  and  perhaps  recollected  the  strange  fate 
which  had  brought  them  from  their  readings  by  the 
Chattiere  in  St.  Domingo,  to  fulfilling  destinies  they 
had  little  dreamed  of,  in  their  days  of  childhood ! 

The  mission  to  France  was  terminated  by  events 
on  which  it  is  useless  to  dwell  here.  On  Mr.  Living- 
ston's return  to  the  United  States  he  retired  to  Mont- 
gomery Place  on  the  Hudson.  This  country-seat  he 
had  inherited  from  his  sister  Mrs.  Montgomery,  the 
widow  of  General  Richard  Montgomery,  who  fell  at 
Quebec.  He  loved  the  place  dearly.  It  was  not  many 
miles  from  Clermont,  where  he  was  born.  Here 
he  had  habitually  spent  his  summers,  after  winters  of 
toil  in  New  Orleans  or  AVashington.  Here  too  he 
proposed  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  life;  surrounded 
by  a  host  of  kindred  scattered  along  the  banks  of  the 
river.  He  had  now  renounced  public  life  and  wished 
to  give  his  remaining  years  to  literary  pursuits,  in  the 
midst  of  the  family  circle  so  dear  to  him.  But  Provi- 
dence willed  it  otherwise.  He  passed  but  one  summer 
in  his  country  home  after  his  return  from  Europe.  A 
sudden  and  violent  illness  terminated  his  career  of 
usefulness  on  the  23d  of  May,  1835. 

From  that  time  Mrs.  Livingston  returned  to  the 
world  no  more.  She  resided  for  half  the  year  at 
Montgomery  Place,  which  was  left  to  her  by  her 
husband.  Her  winters  were  passed  with  her  daugh- 
ter in  Philadelphia  and  afterwards  in  New  York.  Her 
health,  always  delicate,  had  bec^un  to  fail  while  she 


MRS.  LIVINGSTON    IN    AGE.  225 

was  in  France,  and  she  now  became  a  confirmed  in- 
valid. Her  passion  for  books  contributed  greatly  to 
while  away  the  long  hours  of  her  sick-room.  Ao-ain 
and  again  she  returned  to  the  classics  which  she  had 
loved  almost  from  infiincy.  She  constantly  read  his- 
tory with  delight,  devouring  with  the  eagerness  of 
youth  all  new  publications  worthy  of  her  notice.  The 
scope  of  her  mind  was  manifest  from  the  variety  and 
character  of  the  books  that  surrounded  her.  As  she 
advanced  in  years,  her  appearance  was  singularly 
striking.  Notwithstanding  continued  sufferings,  the 
hand  of  time  was  not  laid  heavily  on  her,  and  she 
retained  to  an  uncommon  degree,  traces  of  that  beauty 
which  in  her  youth,  had  been  so  celebrated.  Her 
dress  was  deep  black,  with  a  high  standing  collar  and 
close  widow's  cap.  Her  hair,  with  scarcely  a  white 
thread  visible,  was  parted  over  a  soft  feminine  brow, 
still  fair  and  smooth.  Her  eyes  were  undimmed  by 
age,  and  her  noble  countenance  reflected  her  thoughts 
and  beamed  with  intellect,  dignity  and  kindly  feeling, 
"  Like  a  light  within  a  vase  the  spirit  shone  through 
the  outer  temple." 

For  twenty-five  years  Mrs.  Livingston's  life  was  one 
of  constant  suffering,  which  she  bore  wuth  Christian 
patience  and  submission.  She  was,  even  in  the  midst 
of  pain,  the  least  selfish  of  human  beings,  always  oc- 
cupied in  doing  something  for  others,  most  consider- 
ate not  only  towards  her  friends  and  equals,  but  with 
her  dependents  and  inferiors  in  station.  The  mem- 
ory of  her  kind  acts  is  still  fresh  among  the  poor  who 
lived  in  her  neiirhborhood.  The  close  of  her  life  was 
as  quiet    and   peaceful   as   the  beginning  had   been 


226  JACKSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

stormy  and  eventful.  Years  glided  by  without  land- 
marks. Her  enjoyment  of  nature  was  a  great  boon 
to  her.  When  no  longer  able  to  walk  she  was  wheeled 
about  her  grounds  and  gardens  in  an  invalid's  chair, 
enjoying  every  breath  of  mountain  air,  every  view, 
every  flower,  with  a  zest  given  to  few  in  the  fullness 
of  health  and  spirits.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century,  dur- 
ing her  long  widowhood,  to  the  close  of  her  life,  Mrs. 
Livingston  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
She  had  been  drawn  to  it  by  the  simplicity  and  fervor 
of  its  mode  of  worship.  She  died  at  Montgomery 
Place  on  the  24th  of  October,.  1860,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  seventy-eight  years. 

Another  lady  whose  social  influence  was  abiding, 
was  the  wife  of  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. Her  father  was  the  Hon.  Asa  Clapp  of  Port- 
land, Maine ;  her  mother  was  a  descendant  of  the 
ancient  family  of  De  Quincey.  Carefully  educated, 
with  fine  natural  parts.  Miss  Clapp  came  into  society 
with  more  than  ordinary  eclat.  Her  uncommon  per- 
sonal charms,  united  to  polished  manners,  grace  and 
kindliness,  attracted  every  one.  W^hen  yet  a  school- 
girl, she  was  called  on,  in  the  absence  of  her  mother 
from  home,  to  preside  at  the  reception  of  President 
Monroe  and  suite  at  her  father's  mansion,  and  won 
encomiums  for  her  good  taste  and  graceful  deport- 
ment. After  their  marriage.  Judge  and  Mrs.  Wood- 
bury settled  in  that  delightful  old  town,  Portsmouth, 
for  two  centuries  the  capital  of  the  Province,  and 
subsequently  the  sovereign  State  of  New  Hampshire; 
and  retaining  more  of  that  high  tone,  and  social  ele- 
vation which  clings  naturally  around  an  old  capital, 


METROPOLITAN    SOCIETY.  227 

tiian  is  often  found  on  this  continent.  In  the  autumn 
succeeding  his  marriage,  Judge  Woodbury  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State,  and  entered  on  a  long  career 
of  political  life.  The  graceful  ease  with  which  his 
young  wife  presided  at  the  executive  mansion,  threw 
a  charm  over  the  usual  stiffness  of  official  intercourse. 
When  his  term  had  expired,  Governor  Woodbury  was 
elected  Senator  in  Congress ;  and  a  large  part  of  his 
time  was  thenceforward  necessarily  spent  in  Wash- 
ington. Mrs.  Woodbury  accompanied  him,  and  en- 
tered metropolitan  society.  History  lingers  on  those 
days :  the  standard  of  statesmanship  was  high ;  the 
old  school  polish  still  existed.  The  Senate  and  the 
House  held  a  body  of  brilliant  men,  whose  acquire- 
ments and  wit  set  off  their  solid  merit ;  and  who  ex- 
ercised on  the  public  mind  a  potent  influence,  not  sur- 
passed by  any  succeeding  generation  of  public  men. 

The  Corps  Diplomatique  also  formed  a  bright  or- 
nament of  that  society,  and  with  the  leading  members 
of  the  Executive,  the  Judiciary,  Army,  and  Navy,  and 
a  few  distinguished  unofficial  families,  made  up  in 
those  days,  a  charming  social  circle,  not  too  large  for 
acquaintance  and  friendship,  the  tone  of  which  was 
unusually  high.  It  was  the  rare  charm  of  Washing- 
ton society  that  its  male  element  was  composed  of  so 
many  distinguished  men,  who  combined  rare  intel- 
lectual powei^s  with  w^ide-spread  observation.  The 
ladies  of  the  families  represented  the  culture  and 
beauty  of  all  sections  of  our  country. 

It  was  then  the  usao^e  for  members  of  Conii^ress 
who  were  agreeable  to  each  other,  to  form  themselves 
and  families  into  "messes,"  having  a  table  in  the 


228 

boarding-house,  or  hotel  where  they  lived,  m  this 
way  friendships  were  cemented  or  formed,  and  many 
of  the  messes  acquired  a  special  reputation  from  the 
talents  and  polish  of  the  associates.  Often  has  Mrs. 
Woodbury  related  casual  anecdotes,  or  bonmots,  of 
some  of  the  messes  to  which  she  and  her  husband 
beloRii^ed  in  Washino-ton  at  that  time.  And  it  seemed 
like  another  age,  to  hear  the  brilliant  Verplanck,  the 
great  conversationist  Tazewell,  the  metaphysical  Cal- 
houn, the  eccentric  Randolph,  and  his  no  less  distin- 
guished rival  Burgess,  sparkle  and  flash  as  freshly  as 
if  they  were  of  to-day.  It  was  in  those  times  that 
the  great  Jackson  party  formed  itself  in  Congress, 
which  for  over  thirty  years  held  the  affections  of  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  despite  the  eloquence 
and  popularity  of  Clay,  the  sagacity  and  ponderous 
power  of  Webster,  and  their  many  able  friends. 
"Fort  Jackson"  by  ^yhich  this,  perhaps  the  most 
brilliant  of  the  "messes,"  was  known,  derived  its 
name  from  its  political  predilections,  and  was  espe- 
cially celebrated  for  witticisms.  On  the  breaking  up 
of  President  Jackson's  first  Cabinet,  Mr.  Woodbury 
was  invited  to  a  seat,  as  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
removed  to  Washington ;  continuing  through  Gen- 
eral Jackson's,  and  Mr.  Van  Buren's  Presidential 
terms  in  the  Cabinet,  but  after  one  or  two  years,  as 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Questions  of  etiquette  arise  as  necessarily  in  a  Re- 
publican x\dministration,  as  in  a  court;  and  usages  be- 
come established.  The  ladies  of  General  Jackson's 
second  Cabinet  were  noted  for  their  refinement  and 
taste,  as  well   as    for    the    harmony   that   prevailed 


STATE  DINNERS  AND  PARTIES.        229 

amongst  them ;  and  this  rendered  their  efforts  to 
give  social  distinction  to  their  receptions  eminently 
successful.  The  question  of  precedence  at  State  din- 
ners, between  the  cabinet  and  foreign  ministers,  was 
started  by  the  French  minister,  and  after  much  dis- 
cussion it  was  decided  by  the  President,  that  the 
precedence  should  be  given  to  his  cabinet.  This  rule 
was  adhered  to  during  his  term.  The  Count  Serru- 
rier  and  his  wife  were  so  annoyed  at  the  decision  that 
they  declined  invitations.  The  dinners  at  the  ^Yhite 
House  during  General  Jackson's  time,  were  marked 
by  the  growing  preference  for  continental  usages  over 
the  stiff  English  ceremonial  previously  in  vogue. 
While  in  Mr.  Adams'  administration  the  guests  de- 
parted after  coffee,  now  they  lingered  after  leaving 
the  table,  terminating  the  dinner  with  a  soiree.  At 
the  "  Drawing-rooms  "  it  had  been  customary  to  have 
supper  tables,  and  the  entrance  was  permitted  to  all; 
but  the  growing  population  and  the  vast  crowds  who 
flocked  to  these  occasions  rendered  the  custom  insup- 
portable ;  and  towards  the  last  of  his  administration 
the  President  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  habit  of 
offerino;  refreshments.  It  has  never  been  resumed. 
Many  remember  the  surging  crowd  which  rushed  at, 
and  stripped  the  salvers  in  the  corridors,  long  before 
they  reached  the  salons.  General  Jackson  frequently 
made  informal  visits  to  the  family  of  Secretary  Wood- 
bury, and  showed  the  kindliness  of  his  heart  by  the 
pleasure  he  took  in  chatting  with  the  children ;  win- 
ning their  affection  as  truly  as  he  had  the  devotion 
and  respect  of  their  parents.  Mrs.  Woodbury  sus- 
tained her  social  duties  with  unyielding  patience.     It 


230  Jackson's  administration. 

is  easy  to  say,  she  was  popular,  but  it  is  not  enough ; 
her  house  was  dehghtful  for  its  social  reunions.  The 
private  receptions  for  friends  were  most  agreeable, 
and  no  events  were  ever  permitted  to  interfere  w^ith 
them.  In  those  unpretending  weekly  soirees  the  fas- 
cination of  her  manners  and  the  charm  of  her  con- 
versation were  most  conspicuous  and  appreciated. 
They  were  not  political,  and  the  guests  were  not  con- 
fined to  those  in  public  life  ;  artists  and  men  of  merit 
always  found  there  a  kindly  welcome.  One  of  the 
journals  of  that  time,  says :  "  If,  as  has  been  said, 
some  are  born  to  command,  Mrs.  Woodbury  seems 
born  to  please.  Portland  may  justly  feel  pride  in  the 
recollection  that  she  is  a  native  of  that  city."  An- 
other writer,  speaking  of  those  gathered  at  the  Secre- 
tary's: "The  foreign  legations  were  there  too,  with 
their  embroidered  coats,  and  I  could  not  but  feel 
proud  as  an  American,  when  glittering  in  their  stars 
and  badges,  they  approached  the  fair  hostess,  that  so 
splendid  a  specimen  of  American  beauty,  amiability, 
and  politeness  should  welcome  and  receive  them  in 
this  land  of  Republicanism." 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Yan  Buren's  administration, 
Mr.  Woodbury  again  entered  the  Senate.  In  1844, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodbury  and  family,  were  present  on 
board  the  man-of-war  Princeton,  when  the  accidental 
bursting  of  the  twelve  inch  "  big  gun  "  hurled  Secre- 
taries Upshur  and  Gilmer,  Commodore  Kennon,  Mr. 
Maxy,  and  several  other  gentlemen  into  eternity  ; 
besides  wounding  many,  including  Senator  Benton. 
Fortunately,  Mrs.  Woodbury  and  daughters,  although 
invited  to  take  a  position  near  the  gun  as  it  was  about 


MRS.    WOODBURY'S    FAMILY.  231 

to  be  fired,  in  order  to  witness  the  ricochet  of  the  shot 
on  the  water,  declined  doing  so  and  escaped  unhurt. 

In  1845,  her  husband  was  appointed  to  the  bench 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  which 
seat  he  held  until  his  death  in  1851;  at  that  time 
he  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  the  Presidency. 
During  this  long  association  with  Washington  society, 
and  amid  the  rancor  arising  from  party  strife,  Mrs. 
Woodbury  never  indulged  in  its  bitterness;  the  ar- 
rows of  her  wit  were  never  dipped  in  gall.  She  pos- 
sessed a  cultivated  taste  for  modern  classics,  and  was 
especially  familiar  with  the  writings  of  the  most  gifted 
women  of  France,  England  and  America.  She  had 
also  that  eloquence  da  billet,  formerly  so  much  ad- 
mired, and  her  letters  to  her  friends  vrere  of  that 
pointed  and  piquant  style,  of  which  Madame  de  Se- 
vigne  is  considered  the  founder.  The  loss  of  her 
husband  wa,s  a  serious  blow ;  but  Mrs.  Woodbury  was 
left  surrounded  with  affectionate  children,  for  whom 
the  duties  of  life  were  still  to  be  performed.  She 
had  four  daughters,  whose  gifted  minds  and  personal 
advantages  made  them  eminently  successful  in  society. 
The  eldest  child,  Charles,  is  a  lawyer,  lately  United 
States  Attorney  for  Massachusetts.  Her  daughter 
Mary  married  the  Hon.  Montgomery  Blair,  Postmas- 
ter General  under  President  Lincoln.  Frances  mar- 
ried Archibald  H.  Lowery  of  New  York;  Virginia  the 
Hon.  G.  V.  Fox,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
subsequently  the  Special  Envoy  to  the  Emperor  of 
Russia,  with  the  congratulatory  resolutions  of  Congress 
on  his  escape  from  assassination.  The  youngest,  much 
celebrated  as  a  belle.  Miss  Ellen,  is  still  unmarried. 


232  Jackson's  administp^ation. 

Mrs.  Woodbury  was  never  ambitious  of  social  dis- 
tinction ;  neither  her  cultivated  tastes^  nor  the  at- 
tractions of  court  life  abroad,  were  able  to  tempt  her 
across  the  ocean.  It  was  because  of  her  objections, 
that  her  husband  refused  the  mission  to  Spain,  tend- 
ered him  in  1831,  by  General  Jackson ;  and  again 
in  1845,  the  mission  to  England  olFered  him  by  Presi- 
dent Polk.  A  true  American  matron,  the  love  of 
home  duties  was  strongest  in  her  heart,  and  it  required 
but  little  exercise  of  her  powers  of  abnegation  to  re- 
fuse what  many  fair  ladies  would  have  deemed  a 
golden  opportunity  to  breathe  the  atmosphere  of 
courts,  and  gaze  on  royalty  at  advantage.  Wearied 
with  formal  society,  she  embraced  the  opportunity, 
as  her  children  were  settled  in  life,  to  withdraw  her- 
self more  and  more  into  the  domestic  circle ;  and  to 
sympathize  with,  and  see  the  great  world  of  society 
through  them.  Visiting  them  in  the  winter,  and  hav- 
ing them  cluster  around  her  in  the  summer,  at  her 
own  lovely  home,  her  life  glides  harmoniously  along ; 
her  ej^es  are  bright,  her  form  is  erect,  and  her  step  as 
elastic  as  in  youth.  She  takes  exercise  on  foot  and 
in  the  saddle.  The  ready  repartee  springs  as  gaily 
as  of  yore  to  her  lips,  and  the  young  love  to  draw 
around  one  who  has  neither  lost  her  jDOwer  to  please, 
nor  her  quiet  enjoyment  of  social  intercourse.  In- 
fluenced by  a  sense  of  duty  in  the  daily  walk  of  life, 
love  and  respect  gather  around  her  from  neighbors, 
family,  friends  and  Christ's  poor.  She  was  ever  free 
from  envy ;  possessing  intelligence  and  benevolence. 
In  the  symmetry  of  her  character,  no  marked  con- 
trasts strike  the  observer.     It  would  be  difficult  to 


MRS.  LEVI    WOODBURY.  233 

analyze  the  qualities  to  which  Mrs.  Woodbury  owed 
her  remarkable  success  and  popularity.  Esteemed  as 
she  was  and  is,  for  a  thousand  virtues  and  accomplish- 
ments, by  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances, 
and  all  her  accjuaintances  must  be  her  friends — noted 
for  the  union  of  personal  charms  with  solid  judgment, 
perfect  taste,  and  the  graceful  ease  acquired  by  con- 
stant association  with  the  best  society,  there  is  som.e- 
thing  more  that  constitutes  the  subtle  attraction  for 
which  she  is  distinguished.  It  is  partly  her  invaria- 
ble calmness  and  the  moderation  of  her  nature,  in- 
spiring confidence  ;  partly  her  generous  consideration 
at  all  times  for  others.  She  is  a  lovely  study  for  all 
who  appreciate  the  highest  and  gentlest  qualities  of 
womanhood.  But  though  we  cannot  say  in  what  the 
spell  consists,  it  will  be  well  for  all  women  to  emulate 
the  virtues  of  such  a  character. 
15 


IX. 

VAN   BUKEN'S  ADMINISTEATION. 

The  new  President's  wifeless  Condition  a  Difficulty  to  meeting  the  Claims 
of  Society — Mrs.  General  Macomb's  splendid  Party — Ladies  con- 
Bpicuous  for  Fashion  and  Beauty — The  Rival  Generals — The  Inau- 
guration, and  Ball — Noted  Men  of  the  Time — "  Connecticut  Niles" — 
Indian  Delegation — Calhoun  and  Preston — Mrs.  Madison's  Return  to 
Washington — The  Diplomatic  Corps — Scene  in  the  Gallery — Excit- 
ing Scene  in  the  House — New  Year's  Receptions — Mrs.  Adams  and 
Mrs.  Madison — Hugh  Legare — The  Jam  in  the  Galleries — Mrs.  Ken- 
dall's Party — Mrs.  Paulding — Mrs.  General  Scott — Mrs.  De  Witt 
Clinton — Mrs.  Gales — Mrs.  Seton — Mrs.  Dickens — Mrs.  Macomb — 
The  Cilley  Duel — Scene  at  Mrs.  Towson's  Party — Calhoun,  Clay  and 
Webster  in  Competition — Mrs.  Schaumburg — The  Prince  de  Joinville 
— Brilliant  Party  at  M.  Bodisco's — Scene  at  a  Presidential  Levee — 
Vespucci  at  a  Cabinet  Dinner — The  White  House  on  Fire — A  "Lo- 
cofoco  Jam" — Madam  Calderon's  Musical  Party — Mr.  Preston — The 
Birthnight  Ball,  and  Catastroj^he  of  the  Chandelier — Grand  Closing 
Fete — Clay  and  Van  Buren — Marriage  of  M.  de  Bodisco — The  Chi- 
nese Mandarin  at  the  Spanish  Minister's  Party. 

Martin  Yan  Buren  learned  his  principles  from 
Jefferson.  He  was  a  student  at  law  in  the  office  of 
William  P.  Yan  Ness,  who  was  the  friend  and  second 
of  Aaron  Burr  in  his  duel  with  Hamilton.  Burr  was 
then  at  the  height  of  his  career, — was  Yice-President, 
lived  in  great  style,  and  dispensed  a  lavish  hospitality. 
He  was  struck  with  the  talents,  energy  and  diligence 
of  the  handsome  countrv  youth,  who  imbibed  some 
of  his  political  tactics.     Some  sanguine  spirits  hoped 


MRS.    MACOMB'S    PARTY.  235 

that  Mr.  Yan  Buren's  accession  to  the  purple  mio^ht 
give  a  new  pohsh  and  a  higher  tone  to  society.  He 
had  a  taste  for  the  graceful  things  of  life.  A  letter 
writer  said:  "The  court  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  will  be 
the  most  elegant  that  ever  was  got  together  in 
Washington.  Mr.  Yan  Buren  himself  will  not  marry, 
but  his  son  will  soon  lead  to  the  altar  the  accom- 
plished and  beautiful  daughter  of  the  Patroon  of 
Albany.  Arrangements  are  making  among  several 
distinguished  ladies  to  create  an  era  in  the  fashiona- 
ble soirees  of  Washington.  The  star  of  New  York  is 
in  the  ascendant ;  the  wit,  the  beauty,  the  grace,  the 
genius  of  New  York  ladies  are  about  to  change  the 
social  face  of  the  capital." 

It  seemed  desirable  to  close  the  season  with  as 
much  brilliancy  as  possible.  The  wife  of  the  Major- 
General  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States — Mrs. 
Macomb — gave  her  second  party  about  the  middle  of 
the  month.  The  General  was  described  as  "  equally 
graceful  in  the  ball-room  and  the  field.  He  is  neither 
a  laggard  in  love  nor  a  dastard  in  war,  but  prefers  the 
sound  of  a  lady's  lute  to  the  music  of  the  drum.  He 
has  also  been  smitten  with  literary  ambition,  and  has 
produced  a  tragico-comico-melodramatic  piece,  '  Pon- 
tiac,'  which  was  brought  out  on  the  boards  of  the 
AYashington  theater.  Mrs.  Macomb  is  a  leader  in  fash- 
ionable society,  but  attends  church  regularly.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  a  clergyman  who  formerly  lectured 
to  a  congregation  in  Georgetown.  Under  the  drop- 
pings of  his  sanctuary  she  grcAv  up,  and  retains  her 
early  impressions.  She  gives  splendid  parties  with  a 
military  air  about  them,  and  goes  to  soirees,  but  not 


236  VAN  buren's  administeatiox. 

to  balls,  having  some  religious  scruples  on  that  head. 
Among  the  married  ladies  Mrs.  Bass  was  the  most 
magnificently  attired.  She  wore  in  her  turban  an 
aigrette,  said  to  have  cost  ten  thousand  dollars.  The 
other  elderly  ladies  seemed  to  have  a  passion  for  birds 
of  paradise.  As  two  of  them  moved  their  heads  to 
greet  each  other,  the  tuils  of  the  birds  came  in  con- 
tact, and  bobbed  about  like  a  cork  in  the  water  on 
the  line  of  an  angler.  Among  the  oddities  was  a 
widow  from  Annapolis,  literally  covered  w^ith  tinsel, 
which  she  called  jewelry,  and  loaded  with  finery.  A 
3^oung  girl  from  Delaware  wore  a  head-gear  of  red 
ribbons,  with  a  scarlet  silk  bodice,  a  muslin  fly  which 
came  down  to  her  knees,  trimmed  w^ith  scarlet,  and 
under  it  a  frock  of  the  same  material  and  trimming  1 
Mrs.  Gales — the  exclusive,  wore  a  scarlet  velvet,  and 
moved  a  goddess.  One  pretty  young  girl  was  noticed 
who  was  said  to  be  the  future  daughter-in-law  of  the 
new  President.  Mr.  Yan  Buren  was  said  to  be  de- 
voted to  a  lady  from  Baltimore,  a  widow  of  consider- 
able beauty.  But  the  lady  protested  that  there  was 
no  truth  in  the  rumor." 

Colonel  Benton  was  at  the  time  in  Washington  and 
seldom  went  into  society  unaccompanied  by  his  wife. 
Mr.  Yan  Buren  wore  his  honors  meekly,  often  riding 
on  horseback  along  the  avenue  w^ith  his  son,  taking 
off  his  hat  and  bowing  gracefully  to  all  he  met. 
Mr.  Adams  moved  on  the  footwalk  alone,  without 
looking  at  any  one.  The  expiring  throe  of  gayety 
for  the  season  was  given  in  a  musical  and  tableaux 
party.  The  performers  were  amateurs,  and  the  vio- 
lin, flute  and  clarionet,  with  the  piano,  accompanied 


THE    II^AUGURATION   BALL.  237 

the  voices.  One  of  the  company  remarked  that  it 
had  been  talked  of  among  the  fashionables,  to  adopt 
the  Italian  custom,  and  entertain  a  party  at  the  new 
theater.  General  Scott  was  observed  as  a  majestic 
and  noble-looking  man.  It  was  remarked  that  the 
two  generals  did  not  appear  to  assimilate.  One  lady 
said,  "  The  one  dislikes  what  most  men  pursue, — 
Gaines  ;  the  other,  though  a  descendant  of  a  Cale- 
donian, hates  the  Scott !' 

A  lady  who  came  to  attend  the  splendid  ball  to  be 
given  on  the  night  of  the  inauguration  w^as  Mrs. 
Bayard,  the  grand-daughter  of  Charles  Carroll,  of 
Carrollton,  and  the  wife  of  a  Senator.  She  had  an 
intelligent  and  lovely  countenance,  and  bore  herself 
well.  A  noted  worshiper  of  Bacchus,  and  a  brawler^ 
had  a  piece  of  hickory  made  into  a  cane  and  waited 
upon  President  Van  Buren  to  present  it.  The  new 
President  told  the  militia  major  that  he  never  used  a 
cane,  "It  will  be  of  more  service  to  yourself,  major/' 
added  he,  with  an  icy  smile. 

On  the  evening  before  the  inauguration,  which 
closed  the  administration  of  Jackson,  the  ladies  were 
permitted  to  come  on  the  floor  of  the  House  with 
their  escorts,  and  the  assemblage  was  magnificent. 
Many  of  the  members  gave  up  their  seats  to  them, 
and  instead  of  grave  representatives,  one  might  see 
the  ornamental  head-gear  of  the  ladies ;  plumes 
waving  between  the  lights,  and  bonnets  of  various 
colors.  Groups  were  seen  here  and  there,  some 
seated  on  soflis,  some  in  the  recesses  of  the  win- 
dows, some  standing  behind  the  scenes,  and  others 
promenading,  without  paying  the  least  attention  to 


238  VAN  buren's  administratiox. 

the  important  aflixirs  of  the  nation,  and  only  listening 
when  Peyton  or  Wise  rose  to  address  the  House. 

The  day  of  the  inauguration,  4th  of  March,  1837, 
was  bright  and  clear,  but  very  cold.  At  an  early 
hour  Pennsylvania  avenue  was  crowded  with  a  mov- 
imr  mass  of  all  colors,  sizes,  ranks  and  sexes,  bendino; 
their  way  to  the  Capitol.  Mass  after  mass  rolled  on- 
ward till  the  space  in  front  of  the  grand  staircase  of 
the  eastern  portico  was  filled.  This  staircase  and  the 
floor  of  the  portico,  were  crowded  with  women; 
group  pouring  in  upon  group,  shivering  in  the  cool 
and  frosty  air.  The  oath  of  office  was  administered 
by  Chief  Justice  Taney. 

The  inauguration  ball  was  designed  to  surpass  in 
splendor  all  that  had  preceded  it.  The  managers 
were  gentlemen  of  high  official  rank  and  young 
men  of  fashion.  The  indication  of  their  authority 
was  a  piece  of  white  ribbon,  decorating  the  lapel 
of  their  coats.  The  saloon  was  very  large  and  was 
prepared  with  some  expense,  but  was  illuminated 
by  sperm  candles  instead  of  lamps,  and  not  so  bril- 
liantly as  it  might  have  been.  The  ball  was  some- 
what aristocratic,  as  the  price  of  admission  was 
ten  dollars ;  jet  it  was  considered  crowded.  The 
President  and  Vice-President  made  their  appear- 
ance about  ten,  and  were  led  up  the  room  to  an 
elevated  platform  by  two  of  the  managers.  They 
there  received  the  congratulations  of  the  company. 
All  the  heads  of  departments  and  the  chief  officers 
of  the  government,  the  most  respectable  citizens, 
distinguished  strangers,  and  the  resident  diplomatic 
corps  in  the  costumes  of  their  nations,  were  present. 


239 

The  military  and  naval  officers  ^vore  their  respective 
uniforms. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  in  the  Capitol  in 
September,  1837,  by  Rev.  T.  Fisk  of  Charleston,  South 
Carolina.  In  that  month  Congress  was  in  session, 
and  the  galleries  were  again  thronged  with  auditors 
of  both  sexes.  Mr.  Calhoun  was  active  with  his  plan 
for  regulating  the  finances  of  the  government,  and 
eloquent  in  the  exposition  of  his  views.  A  new 
orator — John  Sargeant  of  Philadelphia,  came  into 
notice.  He  was  a  small  man,  with  not  a  prepossess- 
mg  face  or  appearance  ;  but  every  eye  turned  on  him 
when  he  rose.  Presently  members  began  leaving 
their  seats,  and  moving  towards  the  spot  where  he 
stood.  All  was  silence,  so  that  one  might  have  heard 
a  pin  drop.  The  voice  of  the  speaker  was  weak  and 
husky ;  his  manner  was  cool  and  collected. 

Amono;  noted  men  of  that  time  Colonel  Bell  was 
not  inferior  in  hitellect  to  any  in  the  country.  "  His 
conception  is  rapid,  his  judgment  sound,  and  his 
memory  tenacious.  He  decides  promptly  and  gen- 
erally correctly.  He  always  does  justice  to  the  sub- 
ject he  is  handling,  and  brings  to  it  a  mind  invigor- 
ated by  reflection.  His  temperament  is  melancholy, 
and  he  appears  absent  and  abstracted  when  not  en- 
gaged in  debate  or  conversation.  His  feelings  are 
generous  and  elevated,  and  his  heart  is  noble  and 
manly." 

Mr.  Niles — Connecticut  Niles — was  thus  described  : 
"He  is  about  five  feet  eight,  leans  forward,  is  ill- 
shaped,  has  red  hair  that  stands  up  in  front  and 
curls  all  over  his  head;   he  frowns  incessantly  and 


240  VAN  buren's  administration. 

has  a  sort  of  barrel  cough  peculiarly  disagreeable  to 
the  hearer.  His  face  is  protuberant  and  wrinkled. 
Around  his  neck  he  girts  a  white  handkerchief  tied 
behind,  which  gives  an  expressive  projection  to  his 
chin.  On  his  rounded  shoulders  hangs  a  black  coat 
which  fits  him  badly ;  his  vest  is  of  black  satin,  and 
his  black  breeches  are  of  cloth  or  cassimere.  He 
crosses  his  hands  behind  his  back  when  in  an  ars^u- 
ment ;  and  often  slaps  his  thigh  with  his  right  hand 
as  if  to  enforce  what  he  says.  He  stands  directly  in 
front  of  his  desk,  and  turns  his  head  frequently  to 
the  right  and  left,  so  as  to  let  his  eyes  fall  upon  Sena- 
tor Benton  on  one  side  and  Senator  Eives  on  the 
other.  He  must  belong  to  the  temperance  society ; 
for  he  drank,  during  his  speech,  six  tumblers  of  wa- 
ter, doubtless  to  keep  cool  his  rising  eloquence  and 
prevent  it  from  overflowing  the  Senate." 

In  September  the  delegation  of  Sioux  Indians  were 
invited  to  meet  the  Secretary  of  War,  Joel  R  Poinsett, 
and  a  council  was  held  in  Dr.  Laurie's  church,  instead 
of  the  war  office,  or  the  President's  house.  The  na- 
tives attended  in  their  costume  of  a  blanket  daubed 
with  red  paint,  with  red  leggins  and  all  sorts  of  head 
dresses.  •  They  listened  to  an  address  from  Secretary 
Poinsett. 

In  October  it  was  written :  "  Mr.  Preston  outdid  him- 
self to-day.  Even  they  who  knew  him  best  were  as- 
tonished. Calhoun's  speech  was  a  mere  school-boy's 
essay  to  that  of  his  colleague.  Nobody  had  dreamed 
that  Mr.  Preston  was  a  political  economist ;  but  his  dis- 
course to-day  has  undeceived  even  his  friends.  He 
marched  up  to  the  subject  with  a  fearlessness  that 


PRESTON"   AND    CALHOUN.  241 

•would  have  made  your  heart  leap  within  you  had  you 
heard  hirn.  He  took  up  the  subjects  of  currency,  of 
money,  of  exchange,  of  manufactures,  of  buying  and 
selling,  of  credit  in  all  its  forms,  of  banking,  and  han- 
dled them  with  all  the  ease  that  a  master  mechanic 
would  his  tools.  The  perfect  command  he  has  over 
language  enables  him  to  do  what  others  would  not 

dare  to  attempt The  breach  betAveen  Calhoun 

and  Preston  is  all  the  talk  here.  On  Saturday  the 
latter  made  a  long  and  eloquent  speech  in  opposition 
to  his  colleague.  Duff  has  opened  his  battery  upon 
Preston,  but  Duff  is  in  the  last  stage  of  decrepitude, 
and  flutters  like  an  expiring  cock.  Calhoun  will  carry 
but  few  with  him,  and  it  is  believed  his  career  is  at  an 
end.  Black  Hawk  and  his  son  are  the  only  lions  in  the 
city  at  present.  The  people  are  rushing  in  crowds  to 
see  them.  There  is  a  member  of  the  lower  house  from 
Alabama,  worth  a  trip  to  Washington  to  get  a  sight 
of  He  is  about  live  feet  ten  inches  his^h.  His  lesrs 
resemble  inverted  old-fashioned  churns.  I  should 
guess  his  weight  to  be  not  less  than  five  hundred 
pounds.  They  say  he  is  a  man  of  some  sense  ;  he 
certainly  carries  great  weight  of  character  with  him.. 
This  elephantine  legislator  would  not  disgrace  old 
Jack  FalstaiF.  He  is  the  great  point  of  attraction. 
The  ladies  can't  imagine  how  the  poor  fellow  can  live." 
'  In  October  of  this  year,  Mrs.  Madison  returned 
to  live  in  Washington,  after  an  absence  of  twenty- 
three  years.  A  visit  to  her  was  thus  described  : — ''1 
took  her  to  be  between  sixty  and  seventy  years  of 
age.  The  same  smile  played  upon  her  features  and 
the    same    look   of  benevolence    and    good    nature 


242  TAX   BUREN's    ADMINISTRATION". 

beamed  in  her  countenance.  She  had  lost  the  stately 
and  Minerva-like  motion  -svhich  once  distinguished 
her  in  the  house  of  the  President,  where  she  moved 
with  the  grace  and  dignity  of  a  queen  :  but  her  man- 
ner of  receiving  was  gracious  and  kind,  and  her 
deportment  was  quiet  and  collected.  She  received 
all  visitors  with  the  same  attention  and  friendly 
greeting.  She  remarked  that  a  new  generation 
seemed  to  have  sprung  up.  'What  a  difference/ 
she  said,  '  twenty  years  makes  in  the  face  of  society ! 
Here  are  young  men  and  women  who  were  not  born 
when  I  was  here  last ;  whose  names  arc  familiar  to 
me,  but  whose  faces  are  unknown.  I  seem  to  have 
suddenly  awaked  after  a  dream  of  twenty  years  to 
fmd  myself  surrounded  by  strangers.'  'Ah,  madam/ 
remarked  one  of  the  ladies,  '  the  city  is  no  longer 
what  it  was  when  you  were  the  mistress  of  the  Pres- 
ident's  house !  Your  successors  have  been  sickly, 
tame,  spiritless  and  indifferent.  The  mansion  you 
made  so  charming  and  attractive,  is  now  almost  inac- 
cessible. The  present  incumbent  has  no  female  rela- 
tive to  preside,  and  seems  to  be  so  much  absorbed  in 
party  politics,  that  he  w^ill  scarcely  open  the  house  to 
those  who  wish  to  see  it.  The  very  tone  of  society 
has  been  affected  by  these  changes.  At  one  time, 
such  was  the  bitterness  of  party  feeling,  that  no  visits 
were  interchanged  between  those  belonging  to  the 
administration  and  those  in  the  opposition.  Almost 
all  the  oldest  citizens  are  now  excluded  from  office, 
and  brawlers,  broken  merchants,  disbanded  officers, 
and  idle  young  men  have  been  put  in  their  places. 
But  the  society  is  beginning  to  improve,  and  the 


OFFICIAL   ENTERTAINMExVTS,  243 

fashionable  of  all  parties  mingle  more  harmoniously. 
Foreigners  now,  as  in  your  day,  are  all  the  go.  A 
poor  attache,  a  gambling  minister,  a  beggarly  Ger- 
man baron,  or  a  nominal  French  count,  is  preferred 
to  the  most  substantial  and  accomplished  citizen, 
among  the  young  women  at  this  court.' " 

Mrs.  Madison  smiled  at  this  picture,  and  spoke 
with  much  feeling  of  the  former  condition  and  ap- 
pearance of  the  city. 

After  Christmas,  it  was  said  :  '^  The  Attorney  Gene- 
ral, to  avoid  giving  parties,  has  taken  lodgings,  and 
quitted  housekeeping.  Secretary  Dickerson  is  an  old 
bachelor,  and  has  a  good  excuse.  Secretary  Forsythe 
is  too  poor  to  afford  the  expense,  and  finds  he  can  get 
along  as  well  without  them.  Secretary  Woodbury  is 
waiting  till  after  the  holidays,  when  he  will  probably 
entertain  as  usual.  Of  the  foreign  diplomatic  corps  I 
know  of  none  except  M.  Pontois,  who  is  likely  to 
entertain  this  winter.  Fox  is  an  old  bachelor,  who 
dines  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  and  breakfasts  at 
one  the  next  day.  He  hates  the  sight  of  women,  and 
eschews  their  society.  He  is  fond  of  mutton,  but  sel- 
dom invites  Mouton  to  his  table.  He  is  a  solitaire, 
who,  though  he  does  not  forget  all,  is  '  by  all  forgot.' 
His  few  servants  threaten  to  leave  him,  as  they  do 
not  like  leading  the  life  of  an  owl : — sleep  all  day 
and  work  all  night." 

A  scene  in  the  gallery  was  reported  by  a  witness : 

"^Did  you  hear  Menifee  on  this  question?'  asked 

one, 

"^  Yes,  what  do  you  think  of  him  !' 

" '  That  he  is  a  young  man  of  fine  talents  j  destined 


244  VAN   BUREN's    ADMINISTRATION". 

to  take  a  high  stand  in  the  House.  Clay  sajs  he  is 
the  first  young  man  in  the  nation^  and  his  speech  to- 
day will  give  him  a  high  reputation.  Kentucky  is 
rich  in  talent.  Clay  and  Crittenden  in  the  Senate 
are  unequalled,  and  this  young  man  will  yet  rival 
them  in  the  walks  of  eloquence.' 

"^Have  you  heard  Hoffman?'  ^Yes;  he  is  very 
clever^  and  with  a  little  industry  would  become  a 
very  prominent  member.  He  speaks  well,  and  is 
noble-hearted,  courteous  and  fearless.  Preston  paid 
him  a  high  compliment  when  he  made  his  first 
speech.' 

"^Speaking  of  Preston,  Calhoun  seems  to  have  left 
him.' 

" '  Yes,  and  has  destroyed  himself  He  has  thrown 
himself  under  a  falling  party,  and  will  be  crushed  be- 
neath it' 

"^His  State  will  sustain  him,  I  have  no  doubt,  and 
his  opinions  will  be  found  to  be  correct.' 

" '  Never.  He  is  the  victim  of  blasted  ambition,  and 
will  never  rise  asrain.' 

"  I  moved  towards  another  group  of  gentlemen  and 
ladies,  wdio  were  speaking  of  Wise  and  Gholson. 

"^Do  you  think  there  will  be  a  duel?'  enquired  a 
young  Virginian.  ^I  trust  not,'  replied  an  elderly 
gentleman.  '  But  I  regret  to  see  both  parties  appar- 
ently so  desirous  of  pitting  these  two  men  against 
each  other.  They  are  both  fiery  and  hot-headed. 
The  vitriolic  blood  of  the  South  bubbles  up  in  the 
veins  of  each  upon  the  least  provocation,  and  they 
seem  unable  to  control  their  tempers.'  '  Poor  dear 
soul  1'  sighed  an  elderly  belle  in  the  group,  ^it  would 


AN    EXCITING    SCENE.  245 

be  a  monstrous  pity  to  have  Mr.  Wise  shot.  He  is  such 
a  bold  and  independent  man,  and  makes  such  inter- 
esting speeches.'  An  old  Jackson  lady  remarked : 
^  I  am  sure  he  would  be  no  great  loss  if  Mr.  Gholson 
were  to  kill  him ;  and  I  would  rather  hear  him  speak 
than  a  thousand  Wises.  But  what  a  noise  that  man 
yonder  is  making.  How  shocking !  to  come  here  to 
sleep  P 

"'Why  do  they  keep  the  gallery  so  dark !'  asked  a 
black-eyed  girl.  'Because/  was  the  gallant  reply, 
Hhe  Speaker  thinks  the  light  from  the  radiant  eyes 
of  the  fair  quite  enough  without  artificial  illumina- 
tion.'" 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  Calhoun  was  still  "the 
leader  of  the  Southern  party  in  the  House,  and 
wishes  to  be  so  of  both  Houses,  But  Wise,  too,  has 
thrown  himself  in  front  on  this  great  Southern  ques- 
tion, and  takes  the  lead  from  him  in  Virginia,  for  the 
•purpose  of  aiding  Clay,  whom  Calhoun  is  maneuver^ 
ing  to  defeat."  One  among  many  scenes  like  the 
following  may  be  illustrative :  "  On  the  allusion  of 
Mr.  Slade  (a  member  from  Vermont)  to  'the  Alton 
tragedy,'  a  simultaneous  movement  was  made  through- 
out the  House.  Legare  attempted  to  get  the  floor, 
but  was  resisted  by  his  friends,  who  used  all  their 
force  to  keep  him  down.  Slade  all  the  while  was 
declaiming  against  the  slaveholder  and  the  slave- 
holding  States.  Wise,  who  at  least  has  the  appear- 
ance of  a  madman,  was  so  infuriated  that  his  clenched 
fist  was  making  its  way  through  every  obstacle  that 
came  within  his  reach.  Imagine  this  picture !  Slade 
in  the  centre,  inflaming  the  Southerners  by  his  vio- 


246  TAX  BUPvEN'S  admixistratiox. 

lence  of  speech ;  on  his  right  some  twenty  or  thirty, 
and  here  and  there  a  group  arguing  ^What  should 
be  done?'  On  the  other  side  of  the  House,  greater 
excitement  is  manifested.  Wise  is  appeahng  to  Bell 
^to  assist  in  allaying  the  excitement' — himself  so  ex- 
cited that  his  countenance  has  undergone  a  thorough 
change — his  eyes  darting  fire,  his  nostrils  distended, 
the  muscles  of  his  face  so  strongly  marked,  that  it 
were  not  impossible  to  take  hold  of  them ;  his  hands 
clenched  and  his  whole  frame  convulsed  from  top  to 
toe.  Some  few  members  are  now  hanging  around 
the  marble  pillars,  with  long  and  serious  faces.  The 
messenger  boys  are  in  front  of  the  Speaker's  desk, 
holding  each  other's  arms  in  breathless  silence.  The 
Speaker,  standing  np,  crying  out  for  '  Order  1  order ! 
order ! '  his  face  as  pale  as  a  sheet.  Strangers  are 
pressing  into  the  galleries,  and  all  there  partake  the 
excitement  of  the  scene  below.  '  Who  is  that  speak- 
ing in  the  midst  of  the  group  on  the  left?'  inquired 
a  stranger. 

"^^It  is  the  eloquent  Legare,  trying  to  get  the  eye 
of  the  Speaker.'  A  blow  is  heard  on  the  desk.  It  is 
from  Wise,  who,  no  longer  able  to  control  his  feelings, 
is  making  a  call  for  Hhe  Southern  Delegation  to  leave 
the  hall.' 

^''Agreed!  agreed!'  from  fifty  voices.  'Where 
shall  we  go?'  'To  the  committee  room  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia.'  A  general  rush  followed  this  an- 
nunciation ;  but  the  tempest  within  was  still  raging 
with  increased  violence.  Adams  rose,  and  beireced  his 
friend  Mr.  Slade  not  to  be  alarmed — he  had  seen  such 
storms  before.     The   Speaker's  hammer  was  playing 


THE    SOUTH    AXD    NEW    ENGLAND.  247 

away  on  the  desk,  but  to  no  effect ;  Slade  still  going 
on. 

"  Robertson — '  One  remark^  Mr.  Speaker.* 
"  Slade — '  I  claim  the  floor.      I  ask  leave  to  read  a 
paper  I  hold  in  my  hand.' 

"The  Chair — 'The  gentleman  will  take  his  seat.' 
Here  a  hundred  were  on  the  floor,  addressing  the 
chair  at  one  time. 

"  ^  Is  not  the  gentleman  from  Vermont  declared  out 
of  order?' 

"  Chair — '  He  is.     Order — order !  Take  your  seat/ 
"  Slade — '  I  propose  to  read  this  paper.' 
"Turney — '  I  object  to  the  -  gentleman  proceeding 
at  all.' 

"  The  Chair — 'Sir,  take  j'our  seat.' 

"Slade — 'Not  till  I  have  read  this  paper.' 

"  Chair — '  The  rule  is  imperative.     Sit  down.' 

'-  Slade,  still  on  his  feet — '  Mr.  Speaker ' 

"Chair— 'Sit  down.' 

"'I  move  an  adjournment,'  from  twenty. 
"Slade — '  I  demand  the  yeas  and  nays  upon  that 
motion.' 

"  Adams  to  Slade — '  Go  on — go  on  ! ' 
"  Cries  of  'order,'  and  '  question.  To  adjourn  106, 
against  (33.  Notwithstanding  the  house  was  adjourned, 
none  of  the  members  left  it.  An  announcement  was 
made  that  the  Southern  Delegation  was  organized, 
and  requested  the  friends  of  the  Union  to  meet  them 
in  the  committee  room." 

Parties  were  given  by  the  different  factions.  Mrs. 
Woodbury  was  eminently  fitted  to  adorn  social  re- 
unions.    She  was  handsome,  graceful,  courteous  and 


248  YAN   BUREX'S    ADMINISTPwATION. 

fascinating,  attentive  and  hospitable,  and  dressed  with 
great  taste.  She  had  a  lovely  and  accomplished 
daughter  then  not  old  enough  to  be  brought  out. 
At  this  time  there  was  a  considerable  accession  of 
foreign  beauty.  The  President  held  a  levee  on  New 
Years'  day,  said  to  be  the  finest  first  of  January  ever 
known  in  Washington.  Mr.  Van  Buren,  with  his 
usual  smile,  stood  in  the  center,  supported  on  the 
right  by  the  Marshal  of  the  District,  and  on  the  left 
by  a  gentleman  well  known  in  fashionable  society. 
The  visitors  after  paying  their  respects,  retired  into 
the  east  room.  There  Henry  Clay  was  seen  escort- 
ing a  tall,  majestic  woman,  Mrs.  Bell,  the  wife  of  the 
ex-Speaker.  Clay  received  the  congratulations  of  all 
who  passed,  in  the  easy,  democratic  style  for  w^hich 
he  was  remarkable.  This  room  extended  the  whole 
depth  of  the  house  north  and  south,  opening  on  a 
terrace  running  to  the  east,  from  which  is  presented 
a  beautiful  view  of  the  Potomac  and  the  country  on 
either  side.  The  foreicrn  ministers  were  all  in  their 
court  dresses,  and  the  military  and  naval  officers  in 
their  uniforms.  The  dresses  of  the  Russian  and 
French  attaches  were  splendid. 

A  gentleman  complimented  by  the  name,  "Sir 
Thomas  Humbug,"  and  "  Old  P.  Q." — the  impersona- 
tion of  the  Previous  Question, —  were  conspicuous; 
one  crying  out  "  Mornin',  Sar  1"  continually,  in  a  nasal 
twang.  The  Vice-President  was  planted  near  the 
main  entrance.  A  dark-eyed,  yellow-faced  man  was 
pointed  out  as  connected  with  him  by  marriage ;  a 
Senator,  who  always  talked  loudly  and  vociferously 
from  being  accustomed  to  bawl  to  his  team  in  the 


NEW  year's  receptioxs.  249 

backwoods.  Major  General  Scott  looked  splendidly. 
He  towered  above  the  rest  of  the  company  like  a 
giant  among  pigmies.  His  Florida  laurels  were  not, 
however,  green  on  his  brow ;  the  Seminoles  not  al- 
lowing themselves  to  be  conquered.  Jessup  did  lit- 
tle better.  There  was  some  complaint  of  the  want 
of  refreshments,  as  it  had  been  usual  to  have  them 
in  the  administration  of  Mr.  Madison  and  Mr.  Adams. 

Mrs.  Adams  and  Mrs.  Madison  received  company 
on  the  same  day.  Mrs.  Madison  moved  like  a  queen 
in  her  crowded  rooms,  dressed  in  black,  with  a  turban 
she  had  been  accustomed  to  wear  at  the  White  House. 
She  seemed  much  pleased  to  welcome  her  friends, 
among  whom  were  Clay,  Bell,  Preston,  and  several 
whig  Senators.  The  stream  of  visitors  was  contin- 
ually ebbing  and  flowing.  Mrs.  Madison,  though 
some  seventy  years  of  age,  did  not  look  more  than 
fifty.  At  Mrs.  Adams'  house,  too,  the  company  con- 
sisted of  the  elite  of  the  city.  It  was  singular  to  be 
able  to  visit  in  one  day  a  President,  an  ex-President, 
and  the  widow  of  an  ex-President. 

It  was  said  there  was  but  little  musical  taste  in  the 
capital  at  that  period.  The  theatre  was  well  patron- 
ized, and  there  was  no  lack  of  excellent  actors. 

Mr.  Legare  had  the  character  of  being  a  good 
speaker,  and  when  he  was  to  address  the  House  on 
'the  Mississippi  election,  the  galleries  were  crowded  by 
auditors.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  jam,  a  single  inci- 
dent may  be  mentioned.  A  shabby-genteel  dandy, 
with  a  rusty  cloak  fastened  round  his  neck  by  a  gilt 
clasp,  had  been  pinioned  against  the  wall,  and  made 

vain  efforts  to  escape.    The  wave  of  the  crowd  pushed 
16 


250  YAK  buren's  administration. 

him  one  way,  while  his  cloak,  pressed  by  those  behind 
him,  held  him  fast.  One  arm  was  thrown  forward, 
and  the  other,  in  the  hand  of  which  he  held  a  shabby 
old  cap,  w^as  fastened  to  his  body  by  the  outside  pres- 
sure. In  this  position  he  remained,  in  imminent 
danger  of  suffocation  from  the  stricture  around  his 
throat.  "Gintlemen!"  exclaimed  an  Irishman,  "if 
ye  don't  want  to  sthrangle  the  man  inthirely,  let  him 
'aye  the  tail  of  his  cloak :  for  by  the  powers  the  balls 
are  shoo  tin'  from  his  head,  and  he'll  have  no  tongue 
to  his  mouth  in  a  second."  The  man  made  a  sort  of 
gurgle  in  his  throat  to  confirm  Paddy's  assertion. 
When  he  was  released  by  unclasping  his  cloak,  he 
made  a  desperate  plunge  and  disappeared. 

Mrs.  Kendall's  party  was  numerously  attended,  be- 
ing the  first  soiree  ever  given  by  the  head  of  the  Gen- 
eral Post  Ofhce  Department.  Parties,  of  course,  it  will 
be  understood,  were  always  given  in  the  name  of  the 
lady.  Mrs.  Kendall  was  a  simple  woman,  more  in- 
clined to  be  domestic  than  fashionable.  She  had  a 
daughter  to  introduce.  Some  of  Mr.  Kendall's  politi- 
cal opponents  said  that  an  English  attendant  had  been 
engaged  as  master  of  ceremonies,  and  everything  was 
given  into  his  management.  The  names  of  visitors 
were  demanded  at  the  door,  and  called  out  by  the 
servant  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  Some  one  remarking 
ihtit  Mr.  Kendall  looked  pale,  an  elderly  belle  said  he 
had  never  recovered  his  complexion  since  the  defeat 
of  the  Locofocos  in  New  York ;  and  thereupon  she 
darted  her  hand  into  a  plate  and  grasped  a  handful  of 
gingernuts  and  macaronies.  The  escort  of  another 
lady  cut  away  wdth  a  spoon  at  a  pyramid  of  cake 


MRS.  PAULDIXG — MKS.  SCOTT.  251 

wliicli  he  took  for  one  of  ice-cream^  and  overthrew 
the  whole  structure.  A  young  lady  cried  out  that  he 
must  have  taken  it  for  an  Indian. 

Mrs.  Madison  was  seen  at  the  dinner  and  evening 
parties,  and  was  the  observed  of  all  observers.  She 
was  at  a  dinner  at  the  President's,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Webster  were  also  present  with  their  daughter ;  the 
ladies  superbly  dressed.  The  banquet  was  in  the  Pa- 
risian style, 

Mr.  Van  Buren  made  Mr.  Paulding  Secretary  of 
the  Navy.  His  wife  was  the  sister  of  Gouverneur 
Kemble.  The  word  "lady"  hardly  defined  her;  she 
w^as  a  perfect  gentlewoman.  Scott  called  Mr.  Paulding 
"  the  most  thorough  gentleman  in  the  United  States." 
Gouv.  Kemble  belonged  to  an  English  family  on  the 
father's  side,  and  was  the  nephew  of  Lady  Gage.  His 
house  was  the  favorite  resort  among  all  the  secreta- 
ries. At  the  age  of  eighty,  he  still  entertained  visi- 
tors at  his  residence  at  Cold  Spring,  opposite  West 
Point;  inviting  the  professors  and  distinguished  stran- 
gers every  Saturday  to  visit  him  and  his  superb  gal- 
lery of  paintings. 

Justice  has  never  been  quite  done  to  the  splendid 
qualities  of  Mrs.  Winfield  Scott.  She  was  highly  edu- 
cated, and  possessed  remarkable  powers  of  conversa- 
tion. Her  witty  sayings  were  often  sarcastic  and 
always  ready.  AYhen  she  heard  it  said  of  a  diminu- 
tive man  that  he  had  not  much  mind,  she  added  "He 
has  neither  mind  nor  body."  On  one  occasion  she 
remarked :  "  They  call  the  General  '  Fuss  and  Feath- 
ers;' Mr. is  fuss  without  iha  feathers."     When 

a  young  girl — a  belle  in  Richmond — one  evening  at 


252  VAN   buret's    ADMIXISTPcATIOX. 

a  party,  an  old  gentleman  came  up,  laid  his  hand  on 
her  neckj  and  said^  smiling :  "  How  do  you  feel,  my 
dear?"  She  replied,  quickly :  "Ugh!  I  feel  as  if  old 
ao-e  were  crawlimr  over  me." 

Mrs.  DeWitt  Clinton  was  a  noble  woman,  of  mascu- 
line understanding  and  energies.  For  years  she  was 
a  leader  in  New  York  society.  She  was  in  her  au- 
tumnal prime  and  the  meridian  of  her  influence  dur- 
ing Mr.  Yan  Burcn's  administration.  She  was  dis- 
pleased at  his  political  intrigues  in  regard  to  her  hus- 
band, and  at  Saratoga  in  1838,  she  refused  to  recog- 
nize him.  Durino-  General  Jackson's  Presidency,  when 
he  and  Mr.  Yan  Buren  called  on  her  upon  one  occasion, 
she  sent  for  the  General  to  join  her  in  another  room, 
and  Vv'ould  not  meet  his  companion.  There  was  a 
power  about  this  lady,  acknovrledged  by  all  who  knev/ 
her,  and  she  had  a  hearty  appreciation  of  humor. 

One  of  the  chief  leaders  of  fashion  was  Mrs.  Gales, 
who  was  ''  at  home  "  every  Friday  evening.  Her  par- 
ties were  well  attended  by  memxbers  of  Congress,  res- 
idents and  strangers.  Her  nieces,  the  Misses  Walker, 
were  pretty  and  danced  remarkably  well.  Her  house 
was  rather  small  for  brilliant  display,  but  one  always 
met  at  her  not  overcrowded  soirees,  distinguished  for- 
eigners and  visitors  to  the  capital.  Her  husband  was 
said  to  be  one  of  the  most  generous  and  charitable  of 
men.  Mrs.  Scton,  his  sister,  was  a  very  superior  wo- 
man, given  to  hospitality,  and  alwaj^s  employed  in 
doing  good  to  her  fellow  creatures.  She  was  instru- 
mental in  getting  up  many  charitable  institutions,  and 
society  ovvcd  much  to  her  philanthropic  exertions. 
She  did  r.ot  care  for  the  vanities  and  frivolities  of  the 


FAVORITE    ORATORS.  253 

world.  Her  charming  daughters  had  similar  tastes. 
Mrs.  Dickens  was  prominent  in  giving  and  attending 
parties.  Hers  were  usually  crowded.  Her  daughters 
w^ere  pretty,  and  she  was  hospitable  and  fond  of  com- 
pany. One  representative  from  New  York,  seen  often 
at  her  house,  was  Mr.  Hoffman,  who  had  made  a  bril- 
liant speech  in  the  House.  He  was  a  great  admirer 
of  beauty,  and  went  to  all  the  parties. 

Whenever  it  was  known  that  Webster,  Clay,  Pres- 
ton or  Calhoun  was  to  speak,  the  galleries  were 
crowded ;  if  less  favored  orators  rose  to  address  the 
Senate,  they  were  cleared  in  fifteen  minutes.  When 
Henry  Clay  was  to  address  the  Senate  on  the  Sub- 
Treasury  bill,  the  lady  spectators  got  on  the  floor, 
and  spread  themselves  on  each  side  of  the  circle  be- 
hind the  bar.  They  were  forced  to  retire,  to  their 
great  vexation,  pouting  and  throwing  disdainful 
glances  on  poor  Haight  and  Weir,  who  were  obliged 
to  order  them  away.  Clay  sustained  himself  with 
great  ability,  speaking  for  nearly  six  hours. 

In  the  latter  part  of  February  of  this  year,  Wash- 
ington was  thrown  into  excitement  by  the  fatal  ter- 
mination of  a  duel  between  Mr.  Cilley,  of  Maine,  and 
Mr.  Graves,  of  Kentucky,  acting  for  Colonel  Webb, 
of  New  York.  The  duel  grew  out  of  the  imbroglio 
produced  by  the  letters  and  acts  of  M.  L.  Davis,  the 
"Spy"  correspondent  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer, 
and  the  subsequent  criminations  and  recriminations. 
Mr.  Cilley  fell  at  the  third  fire. 

A  party  given  by  the  wife  of  General  Towson  was 
very  brilliant,  the  house  being  well  calculated  by  its 
size  and  arrangement  for  the  reception  of  company. 


254  TAN  buren's  administration. 

Mrs.  Towson  was  dressed  in  exquisite  taste,  and  a 
young  lady  stood  at  her  side.  The  ball-room  was  up 
stairs ;  and  amidst  the  brilliant  crowd  might  be  seen 
Mrs.  General  Macomb,  and  Mrs.  Schaumburg  of  Phil- 
adelphia, said  to  be  one  of  the  best  amateur  singers 
in  the  country.  Mrs.  Pleasants  of  Washington,  radi- 
ant in  beaut}^,  stood  leaning  on  the  arm  of  her  escort, 
proud  to  have  her  under  his  charge.  Her  head  w^as 
encircled  by  a  magnificent  coronet  of  pearls;  her 
dress  was  black  yelvet ;  and  she  looked  like  the  god- 
dess who  punished  the  presumption  of  Actcon  for 
daring  to  gaze  on  her  loveliness.  The  supper  was 
capital.  A  guest  remarked :  "  I  left  the  great  intel- 
lectual giant  of  the  Senate,  ^yebster,  forking  pickled 
oysters  with  as  much  gout  as  he  would  read  a  law 
case ;  and  Speaker  Polk,  with  his  mouth  so  crammed 
w^ith  chicken,  celery  and  beef's  tongue,  that  even  the 
offer  of  a  foreign  embassy  could  not  loosen  his  jaws. 
Wise  was  washing  down  his  tongue  with  champagne, 
and  ex-Speaker  Bell  was  meditating  the  demolition  of 
a  plate  of  blanc-mange." 

The  great  national  birthnight  ball  took  place  in 
Carusi's  saloon.  Among  the  distinguished  guests 
w^ere  Clay  and  Webster,  who  seemed  to  participate 
feelingly  in  the  hilarity  of  the  fete.  The  Vice-Presi- 
dent was  also  conspicuous,  and  all  parties  were  min- 
gled in  the  most  agreeable  harmony.  The  floor  was 
marked  with  the  insignia  of  the  different  states,  and 
the  pillars  of  the  supper-room  were  decorated  with 
festoons  and  wreaths  of  artificial  flowers.  The  Pres- 
ident came  in  about  ten  with  Mr.  Clay,  to  the  tune  of 
Hail  Columbia. 


FEELING   AMONG   FASHIONABLES.  255 

On  the  evening  of  Cilley's  burial,  a  musical  party 
was  given  by  the  wife  of  the  Solicitor  of  the  Treas- 
ury. Many  members  attended  it  after  returning 
from  the  funeral  of  their  friend  and  fellow-legislator. 
Among  the  groups  talking  of  the  unhappy  event,  one 
might  hear  a  lady  remark :  "  Poor  man !  how  I  pity 
him!  But  don't  you  think  Mrs.  Schaumburg  sings 
divinely ! " 

" Exquisitely!"  the  reply  would  be :  "Dear  me,  how 
shocking  it  was  !  and  his  poor  wife  !" 

"Have  you  been  introduced  to  Captain  Marryatt? 
What  a  strange  creature  ! " 

"  Indeed  I  sympathize  deeply  with  his  family." 

"It  will  be  so  sudden — so  unexpected — " 

"What  a  fine  voice  Mrs.  Schaumburg^  has !" 

"  Captain  Marryatt  don't  seem  inclined  to  be  intro- 
duced to  anybody ! " 

"  I  do  feel  for  poor  Mrs.  Cilley.  Were  you  at  the 
House  to-day  ?  " 

"Oh,  yes,  I  attended  the  funeral,  and  heard  the 
chaplains  pray  and  exhort,  and  saw  all  the  ceremonies. 
Is  Captain  Marryatt  a  married  man?" 

"Poor  thing!  how  afflicted  she  will  be!  These 
musical  soirees  are  very  charming.  Nothing  affects 
me  so  much  as  music." 

"This  city  don't  appear  very  propitious  to  matri- 
mony." 

"  No  marriage  has  taken  place  among  the  fashiona- 


*  The  Mrs.  Schaumburg  mentioned  was  the  mother  of  Miss  Emily  Schaum- 
burg, in  later  years  celebrated  in  Philadelphia  society  for  her  admirable  voice 
and  musical  skill,  and  her  powers  as  an  amateur  actress.  A  sketch  of  her  is 
given  in  "  The  Queens  of  American  Society." 


256  YAN  buren's  administration. 

bles  this  winter  but  that  of  the  Chevalier  Tacon.     It 
is  surprising,  isn't  it?" 

"Very.  Did  you  say  poor  Mrs.  Cilley  had  three 
little  children?     How  melancholy!" 

"Did  you  hear  how  Captain  Marryatt  cut  that 
dandy  !     Served  him  right !"  etc. 

Marryatt  was  looked  on  as  a  lion,  and  attended  all 
the  parties,  though  objecting  to  be  introduced  to  any 
one. 

On  an  early  Thursday  in  March,  the  President 
opened  his  drawing-rooms  for  the  first  time  since  his 
accession.  M.  Pontois,  the  French  minister,  gave  a 
party  the  night  before.  The  minister  was  a  large 
man  and  his  secretary  a  small  one ;  both  wore  eye- 
glasses, more,  it  was  said,  from  affectation  than  neces- 
sity. M.  Pontois  was  not  so  popular  as  some  of  his 
predecessors.  None  of  the  ministers  had  their  wives 
with  them.  Fox  was  a  solitaire  and  very  eccentric ; 
he  kept  himself  aloof  from  the  fashionable  world^ 
and  was  studious  and  retiring.  At  this  time  Calhoun, 
Clay  and  Webster  were  called  "  the  three  great  com- 
petitors for  the  throne."  In  the  intellectual  amphi- 
theatre of  the  Senate,  they  showed  their  skill  and 
dexterity  in  couching  the  lance  and  wielding  the  bat- 
tle-axe. The  massive  war  mace  was  wielded  by  Web- 
ster with  the  force  of  a  giant  refreshed  by  the  slumber 
of  ages.  Nothing  could  resist  the  vigor  and  tremen- 
dous weight  of  his  blows,  and  the  enchanted  castle 
of  the  Sub-Treasury  fell  before  his  resistless  energy. 
The  vSpeaker,  Mr.  Polk,  gave  a  soiree  at  his  lodgings, 
on  the  same  evening  that  Forrest  ranted  and  thun- 
dered in  Metamora  to  the  delight  of  the  fashionables. 


A  CONCERT A  LORD's  ARRIVAL.       257 

Mrs.  Forsythe,  the  wife  of  the  Secretary,  gave  the 
second  of  her  parties.  Mrs.  Poinsett  had  given  but 
one,  and  Mrs.  Woodbury  had  been  prevented  from 
exercising  her  usual  hospitaUty  by  the  death  of  a 
relative.  The  crowd  at  Mrs.  Forsythe's  included  the 
belles  and  beaux  of  the  three  cities  of  the  district. 

M.  Pontois  invited  Madame  Caradori  Allen  to  a 
dinner,  and  had  a  number  of  guests  whom  he  had  in- 
vited to  hear  her  sing.  But  the  cantatrice  had  no 
idea  of  being  made  to  amuse  the  company,  and  there- 
fore pleaded  a  bad  cold  as  an  excuse  for  refusing. 

The  singer  gave  a  concert,  which  was  well  attended 
notwithstanding  the  lack  of  musical  taste.  Some 
thought  the  richly  dressed  Mrs.  Schaumburg  not  in- 
ferior in  voice  to  Caradori.  The  Major-General,  Clay, 
and  many  distinguished  persons  were  in  the  back- 
ground at  the  concert ;  the  gentry  in  front  affecting 
to  be  connoisseurs,  and  crowded  around  the  singer. 

The  arrival  of  Lord  Gosford  created  quite  a  sensa- 
tion. Though  an  Irishman,  he  was  a  lord ;  and  in- 
vitations to  dinner  and  supper  awaited  him  on  every 
side.  The  '-  Geologists  of  the  United  States  "  waited 
on  him.  That  singular  genius,  Fox,  was  roused  from 
his  den  and  made  to  revisit  the  glimpses  of  the  sun. 
The  battle  between  the  champion  of  Nullification — 
Calhoun,  and  the  champion  of  the  Constitution — Web- 
ster, occupied  universal  attention.  A  member  from 
Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Petrikin,  wore  an  old-fashioned  pig- 
tail or  cue.  Another  member,  making  some  remarks 
on  what  he  had  said,  observed  :  "  The  gentleman  has 
thrown  out  some  insinuations  that  deserve  notice,  and 
I  will  thank  him  for  the  cue."    '-  I'll  be  hancred,"  said 


258  VAX    buret's    ADMINISTRATION". 

the  little  old  member,  "  if  you  or  any  other  man  shall 
have  it,  I  have  nursed  it  till  it  has  grown  into  a  respect- 
able tail,  and  no  man  shall  curtail  it." 

In  April,  complaints  were  made  of  the  dullness  of 
the  metropolis;  the  President  having  opened  his 
house  but  twice  during  the  winter.  During  the  pre- 
ceding administration,  it  was  remembered  that  the 
secretaries  and  other  members  of  the  cabinet  showed 
their  hospitality  by  giving  parties  week  after  week ; 
the  present  members  had  shut  themselves  up  in  the 
recesses  of  their  mansions.  "  The  court  of  Martin  the 
First"  was  voted  a  shabby  concern.  It  had  devolved 
on  private  individuals  to  sustain  the  social  character 
of  the  government,  and  show  by  their  elegant  hospi- 
tality that  refinement  and  civilization  existed  in  the 
metropolis  of  the  nation.  But  they  seemed  to  have 
wearied  of  leading  the  fashionable  world.  All  were 
astonished  at  the  prospect  of  two  May  balls,  a  party 
at  the  house  of  M.  Pontois,  and  a  party  given  by 
Mr.  Fox.  The  latter  was  an  unexpected  novelty; 
the  first  given  by  the  minister,  and  in  honor  of  the 
birthday  of  his  Queen  Victoria.  At  the  French  min- 
ister's party,  a  lady  carried  away  the  palm  for  grace 
and  dignity,  wdio  had  sojourned  at  the  splendid  Court 
of  Austria. 

The  arrival  of  the  steam  frigate  Fulton  created  a 
great  sensation.  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  a  portion  of  his 
cabinet  took  a  trip  down  the  river  on  board  of  her, 
returning  in  the  evening.  A  regatta  was  got  up  in 
honor  of  her  arrival ;  ii\Q  boats  to  row  a  mile  and  back. 
The  crowd  of  spectators  was  immense.  The  evening 
was  concluded  by  a  ball  and  collation   given  by  the 


PROSPECT  OF  A  WEDDIXG.         259 

officers.  This  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  belles  and 
beaux,  who  danced  to  the  music  of  the  marine  band. 

The  arrival  of  the  Prince  de  Joinville  with  his  suite, 
opened  the  prospect  of  more  fetes  and  parties.  This 
son  of  Louis  Philippe  was  a  strapping  youth  of  eight- 
een, more  desirous  of  displaying  his  equestrian  skill 
than  of  figuring  as  a  lion.  On  his  first  ride,  the  morn- 
ing after  he  came,  he  was  thrown,  but  sustained  little 
injury,  and  afterwards  made  his  appearance  in  the 
Senate  Chamber  with  the  French  minister.  Next  day 
he  went  to  Philadelphia. 

The  summer  heats  of  this  year  were  excessive,  but 
the  ardor  of  fashionable  gayety  continued.  Mrs. 
Woodbury  gave  a  soiree  in  July,  and  Mr.  Kendall  a 
raspberry  party  at  his  residence  on  Jackson  Hill. 
After  the  adjournment  of  Congress  the  city  began  to 
look  deserted ;  the  office-holders  and  flishionables  fly- 
ing off  to  the  springs,  to  spend  their  money  and  kill 
their  time.  Mr.  Van  Buren  shut  himself  up  in  his 
palace,  and  was  seldom  seen. 

"Does  the  President  mean  to  give  any  drawing- 
rooms  next  season ! "  was  asked  in  the  following  Octo- 
ber. 

"Oh,  certainly,"  was  the  reply.  "His  son,  the  pri- 
vate secretary,  is  to  be  married  in  a  few  weeks,  and 
his  wife  will  receive  the  company;  a  fact  that  has 
produced  a  great  deal  of  satisfaction.  Mr.  Van  Buren, 
too,  is  so  elated  at  the  success  of  the  Locofocos,  that 
he  is  determined  no  lonsrer  to  burrow  in  one  of  the 
solitary  nooks  of  the  palace,  but  to  be  visible  to  all 
hi»  friends  of  both  sexes  frequently  during  the  next 
session." 


260  VAN  buren's  admixistration. 

The  second  session  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Congress 
was  opened  early  in  December,  1839.  A  brilliant 
party  w^as  announced  to  be  given  by  M.  de  Bodisco,  the 
Russian  minister,  at  his  residence  in  Georgetown, 
where  he  lived  in  great  splendor.  He  was  at  this 
time  a  bachelor,  and  it  was  his  first  fete.  His  repu- 
tation as  a  man  of  taste,  and  his  familiarity  with 
fashionable  life  in  Europe,  rendered  most  persons  cu- 
rious to  go.  As  they  approached  his  residence  through 
the  dark  streets,  the  blaze  of  light  resembled  a  con- 
flagration. Servants  at  the  door,  in  livery,  took  charge 
of  the  hats  and  cloaks,  and  the  names  were  announced, 
first  below  by  a  servant,  at  the  head  of  the  staircase  by 
another,  and  at  the  entrance  to  the  drawdng-room  by 
a  third.  M.  de  Bodisco,  magnificently  dressed  in  the 
costume  of  his  court,  received  the  company  w^ith  ease 
and  courtesy.  He  was  a  fine-looking  man,  about  forty- 
two,  wath  brilliant  black  eyes,  dark,  thick  and  curling 
hair,  and  a  face  expressive  of  benevolence  and  good  hu- 
mor. His  manners  had  a  grace  derived  from  constant 
intercourse  with  the  most  polished  courts  of  Europe. 
This  was  his  fourth  embassy  in  different  countries. 
He  spoke  English  and  several  modern  languages. 
Every  room  in  the  house,  except  one,  was  thrown 
open,  and  brilliantly  lighted  with  lamps  and  candela- 
bras.  Most  of  the  splendid  furniture  was  of  European 
make,  and  not  a  house  in  the  country  contained  such 
a  variety  of  artificial  ornaments  and  curiosities.  The 
china  services  w^ere  very  rich,  and  the  plate  costly 
and  magnificent.  One  retired  room  was  called  "Flir- 
tation Gallery."  All  the  foreign  ministers  and  their 
attaches  were  in  their  court  dresses.     The  costume  of 


M.   DE   BODISCO'S    PARTY.  .        261 

the  Austrian,  a  marshal,  consisted  of  a  coat  of  white 
cloth,  covered  with  orders,  and  pantaloons  of  scarlet, 
richly  trimmed.  M.  de  Bodisco's  dress  was  blue,  cov- 
ered with  silver  lace  to  a  great  depth,  and  ornamented 
with  precious  stones.  The  buckles  of  his  pumps  were 
set  in  brilliants.  The  French  minister's  dress  was  also 
splendid  and  costly.  Among  the  refreshments  were 
ices  of  all  kinds ;  iced  chocolate,  iced  crab  apple 
juice,  ice-creams,  iced  punch,  lemonade,  sangaree,  &c.^ 
brought  on  silver  waiters  and  eaten  wdth  gold  spoons. 
The  music  w^as  delightful.  The  rooms  were  kept 
warm  partly  by  Russian  stoves.  The  supper  was 
served  about  one ;  a  long  apartment  in  the  second 
story  being  set  apart  to  accommodate  the  ladies, « 
They  were  seated  the  whole  length  of  the  table, 
which  was  covered  with  gold  and  mirror  plateaus, 
splendid  candelabras,  Grecian  temples,  castles,  &c., 
made  of  candied  sugar ;  fruits  of  all  sorts  in  ornamen- 
tal dishes  ;  china  ornaments,  gold  forks,  &c.  The  gen- 
tlemen w^ere  excluded  from  this  room,  and  the  ladies 
were  waited  on  by  the  servants.  The  gentlemen's 
supper-room  was  in  the  third  story.  Am.ong  the 
members — of  w^hom  there  were  few — were  Mr.  James 
K.  Polk  and  Mr.  Cambreling.  The  card-room  was 
near,  and  in  it  the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  were  deeply  engaged  at  whist. 
The  company  retired  between  two  and  three.  This 
w^as  said  to  be  the  most  superb  fete  ever  yet  given  in 
the  District.  It  was  in  honor  of  the  birthday  of  the 
Emperor  Nicholas,  and  eight  hundred  guests  were  in- 
vited. 

A  party  by  the  Austrian  minister  was  looked  for  to 


262  VAN  buren's  administration. 

rival  M.  de  Bodisco's.  Poor  Mr.  Fox,  with  an  income 
of  thirty  thousand,  managed  only  an  occasional  dinner, 
very  late  at  night ;  mutton  boiled,  roasted  and  fried. 
People  said  the  house  smelt  of  sheep.  Fox  was  called 
the  spectre  minister,  from  the  unnatural  paleness  of 
his  ilice,  and  the  blackness  of  his  bushy  eyebrows. 

Prentiss,  the  Mississippi  orator,  "  is  a  small  man, 
about  five  feet  six  inches  in  height,  lame  in  one  of  his 
leirs,  which  he  rests  on  his  cane  when  ho  walks.  His 
head  is  large  and  well  cast,  and  his  body  well  propor- 
tioned. He  is  said  to  be  a  native  of  Maine,  and  com- 
menced life  in  poverty.  He  taught  school  in  Missis- 
sippi when  he  first  went  out  to  that  State,  while  quite 
a  lad ;  studied  law  afterwards  and  soon  became  dis- 
tinguished at  the  bar,  where  he  not  only  acquired 
fame  but  wealth.  He  appears  to  be  about  thirty 
years  of  age.  His  countenance  becomes  lighted  up 
in  speaking  by  the  warmth  and  glow  of  his  feelings. 
He  has  all  the  elements  of  an  orator ;  he  is  logical, 
imaginative,  sarcastic  and  humorous.  His  early  read- 
ing seems  to  have  been  Scriptural,  and  from  the  Scrip- 
tures he  brings  most  of  his  illustrations,  which  are 
always  happ3^  His  judgment,  memory  and  imagina- 
tion seem  to  be  equally  prominent." 

On  New  Year's  day  the  President  again  opened  his 
house  to  visitors.  Henry  Clay  also  received  in  his 
rooms  at  Borlanger's,  a  restaurateur  on  Pennsylvania 
avenue.  At  twelve  the  President's  palace  was  thrown 
open,  and  the  immense  crowd  poured  in.  Mr.  Van 
Buren  stood  in  the  reception-room,  with  gentlemen 
on  either  side.  A  little  behind  him  stood  the  youth- 
ful bride  and  bridegroom,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Buren. 


NEW  year's  calls.  2G3 

She  received  the  ladies.  She  was  said  to  possess  great 
wealth,  and  to  belong  to  an  ultra  whig  family. 

A  lady  asked  :  "  Why  does  M.  de  Bodisco  carry 
that  beautiful  silver  key  on  the  back  of  his  coat?" 

'-  To  denote  that  '  Love  laughs  at  locksmiths,'  or 
that  he  keeps  the  key  to  the  secrets  of  the  emperor, 
and  has  locked  up  his  own,"  somebody  answered. 

"  And  who  is  that  standing  near  him  so  splendidly 
dressed?" 

"The  French  ambassador,  Monsieur  Pontois.  He 
has  given  up  housekeeping,  and  now  boards  at  a 
restaurateur's,  where,  of  course,  he  cannot  entertain." 

"A  minister  that  don't  give  parties  ought  to  stay 
at  home." 

"And  what  would  you  do  with  the  British  minis- 
ter?" 

"Bury  him  in  the  cave  of  Trephonius,  or  change 
him  into  an  owl."  "Is  not  that  the  Vice-President 
with  some  lady  under  his  aiTn!" 

"  Yes,  and  Major-Genera]  Pontiac  is  making  up  to 
him,  in  the  path  made  by  the  Infant  of  the  House, 
Mr.  Lewis."  Benton  and  "the  Previous  Question" 
were  cheek  by  jowl  together.  Some  looking  at  Van 
Buren,  thought  of  Henry  Clay,  erect  and  tall,  and 
"  proudly  eminent,"  receiving  the  obeisance  of  a  few 
who  came  from  pure  respect,  and  wondered  at  the 
ingratitude  of  a  republic,  that  a  man  whose  name  was 
identified  with  the  leading  measures  of  the  govern- 
ment for  the  last  thirty  years,  devoting  his  life  to  the 
good  of  his  country,  should  not  have  been  preferred 
as  a  ruler. 

Mrs.  Madison  also  received  her  friends,  dressed  in 


264  VAN  buren's  administratiojt. 

mourning  for  the  death  of  two  near  relations.  She 
retained  her  gracious  manners  and  liberal  hospitality. 

Parties  were  announced  in  honor  of  the  marriage 
of  Major  Van  Buren,  and  the  city  anticipated  gayety 
during  the  coming  season.  Mr.  Blair  gave  a  party^ 
the  cards  of  invitation  to  which  had  long  colored  rib- 
bons attached  to  them,  streaming  through  the  air  as 
they  were  borne  along.  The  French  minister  made 
preparations  for  the  arrival  of  Signora  Yespucci. 
The  roaring  and  ranting  of  Mr.  Pickens  drew  startled 
attention  from  the  galleries.  A  party  given  by  the 
wife  of  General  Macomb  was  attended  by  all  the 
officials  and  distinguished  persons  disposed  to  pay 
respect  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  M.  de  Bodisco  had 
two  3'oung  nephews  at  the  college  in  Georgetown,  and 
issued  cards  of  invitation  to  a  children's  ball.  The 
little  girls  and  boys  enjoyed  themselves,  and  ate  like 
demi-gods.  Suddenly  Mr.  Clay  was  seen  escorting  a 
lady — Miss  Yespucci — recently  arrived  in  Washing- 
ton. She  was  saj- ing  in  French :  "  I  would  give  half 
w^hat  I  ever  expect  to  possess  to  be  able  to  converse 
with  Mr.  Webster  in  his  own  laiiguage.  I  saw  him 
in  the  East,  and  was  struck  with  his  noble  head.  Be- 
fore I  heard  who  he  was,  I  felt  that  he  was  a  great 
man." 

Mr.  Clay's  meeting  with  Mrs.  Madison  at  a  party 
given  by  the  French  minister,  was  noticed ;  the  lady 
rose  at  his  approach,  extended  her  hand,  and  gave 
him  one  of  those  smiles  which  no  doubt  helped  to 
make  the  dominant  party  adhesive,  in  the  days  of  her 
presidency.  Her  movements  had  all  the  grace,  ease, 
and  elasticity  of  youth.     On  one  occasion  a  gentle- 


THE  GAY  WORLD  DASHING  OUT.       265 

man  went  up  to  her  and  said :  ^*  You  do  not  remem- 
ber me,  Mrs.  Madison!" 

"Yes,  I  recollect  you  very  well,  Mr.  "  she 

replied.     She  had  not  seen  him  in  twenty-six  years ! 

It  was  this  intellectual  power,  combined  with  all 
the  graces  and  elegances  of  her  sex,  that  made  her 
once  almost  the  center  and  source  of  power  in  the 
government. 

"  When  are  vre  going  to  have  a  grand  quarrel  in 
the  House?"  asked  a  beautiful  woman  with  an  arch 
smile.  "I  can't  tell,"  replied  her  companion;  "Mr. 
Wise  is  gone  to  Xew  York ;  I  am  afraid  we  shall  be 
quiet  for  a  fortnight."  "I  don't  like  quiet;  I  don't 
like  peace ;  I  like  to  see  you  all  quarreling,"  said  the 
beauty.  But  in  tranquillity  the  gay  world  dashes 
out.  At  a  party  given  by  Mrs.  Woodbury,  three 
apartments  and  the  ball-room  on  the  lower  floor  were 
full ;  several  up  stairs  in  the  same  condition,  and  the 
stairways  strewed  with  lovely  girls.  The  hostess  was 
dressed  with  splendor.  As  the  company  arrived  and 
were  presented,  they  filed  off  into  another  room,  lead- 
ing to  the  ball-room. 

"Every  Friday  evening  Mrs.  Gales  has  reunions 
during  the  session,  and  all  who  attend  them  are  in 
raptures  with  the  beauty,  order,  simplicity  and  ele- 
gance of  the  arrangements." 

I  Mr.  Adams  was  noticed  at  the  theatre  during  Ilack- 
ett's  performance,  seated  in  the  center  of  the  pit. 
"During  the  whole  evening  he  looked  neither  to  the 
right  nor  the  left.  He  was  surrounded  by  large  num- 
bers of  the  members  of  both  houses,  who  came  to 

enjoy  the  character  of  Falstaff     Adams  became  in- 
17 


266  YAN  buren's  administration. 

terested — absorbed — and  occasionally  laughed  till  liis 
eyes  filled  with  tears.  He  has  an  enthusiasm  for  the 
old  English  drama,  and  its  effects  on  him  were  as 
strong  and  natural  as  the  first  play  on  the  nerve-s  of 
an  innocent  country  girl.  His  appearance,  with  his 
fine  bald  head  and  few  silvery  locks,  had  a  pictur- 
esque and  pleasing  effect." 

Mr.  Van  Buren  invited  the  Vespucci  to  a  cabinet 
dinner  he  gave  towards  the  close  of  January  to  the 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  It  was  remarked  that 
he  seemed  much  struck  with  the  splendid  Tuscan 
beauty,  and  had  been  turning  his  attention  to  the 
Italian  language.  He  placed  Vespucci  between  him- 
self and  Mr.  Webster.  On  sitting  down,  he  asked  her 
if  she  spoke  English ;  she  replied  "  a  lit,"  with  a 
charming  smile.  But  his  excellency  w^as  prevented 
from  bringing  his  Italian  into  play,  by  Mr.  Webster's 
"  Parlez  vous  Frangais  ?"  and  the  lady's  "  Oh,  oui  Mon- 
sieur." An  amusing  account  was  given  of  the  efforts 
and  failures  of  the  two  great  statesmen,  whose  French 
and  Italian  were  soon  exhausted.  "  Never  was  there 
seen  such  a  specimen  of  classical  pantomime ;  Mr. 
Van  Buren  and  Mr.  Webster,  sitting  on  either  side  of 
Vespucci,  as  dumb  as  if  they  had  lost  their  tongues. 
Not  a  single  word  could  they  say  that  she  understood  ; 
and  not  a  word  she  said  did  they  understand.  In 
this  crisis  of  affairs,  an  interpreter  was  discovered  at 
table,  after  which  the  conversation  with  the  fair  Flor- 
entine w^ent  on  with  great  spirit." 

An  artist  from  New  York — Mr.  Linen — painted  an 
excellent  cabinet  portrait  of  Henry  Clay,  which  was 
shown  in  Washington.     While  Clay  was  dining  with 


jc'lif 


MRS.  Jo  T.  TJBIOMAJ^ 


Eng*  JlfB.  B.  ffall.  H  "T 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE    ON    FIRE.  2G9 

the  President  at  one  of  his  regular  cabinet  dinners 
given  in  rotation  every  Saturday  to  the  members  of 
both  Houses,  a  servant  whispered  to  Mr.  Van  Burcn, 
*•  The  house  is  on  fire/'  Van  Buren  rose  very  coolly, 
apologized  to  the  gentleman  next  him,  and  left  the 
room  for  a  few  minutes.  His  whole  kitchen  depart- 
ment was  in  flames;  but  a  few  pails  of  water  quenched 
the  fire,  which  had  made  little  progress.  When  Van 
Buren  returned  to  his  company,  and  explained  the 
cause  of  his  absence,  Mr.  Clay  turned  to  him,  and  with 
a  peculiar  look,  said  :  ^^Mr.  President,  I  am  doing  all  I 
can  to  get  you  out  of  this  house ;  but,  believe  me," 
here  he  put  his  hand  upon  his  breast,  "I  do  not  want 
to  burn  you  out."  The  expa^ession  the  artist  threw 
into  his  portrait  was  the  same  with  which  Mr.  Clay 
said  these  few  words.  The  eyes  lighted  up,  the  lips 
slightly  apart,  the  big,  broad  mouth  apparent,  a  half 
gmile  spread  over  the  face,  the  whole  countenance 
beaming  with  the  lofty  intellect,  and  blending  wit, 
dignity  and  good  humor, 

Mr.  Van  Buren's  carriage  was  superb ;  of  a  dark 
olive  hue,  with  ornaments  as  bright  as  burnished  gold. 
When  he  entered  it,  the  servant  dashed  up  the  steps, 
banged  to  the  door,  jumped  up  behind,  and  away  it 
rolled  as  if  the  vehicle  were  conscious  of  bearing  the 
head  of  the  Republican  party. 

Henry  Clay  usually  walked  from  the  church  to  his 
lodgings,  without  blue  or  gold  carriage,  blood  horses, 
or  livery  servants. 

In  politics  Mr,  Clay  was  the  master  spirit  of  the 
opposition.  Almost  every  act  of  general  legislation 
was  determined  by  the  influence  it  w^as  supposed  to 


270  VAN  bupwEn's  administration?-. 

have  on  the  prospects  of  the  next  Presidential  election. 
The  venerahle  John  Quincy  xVclams  was  at  this  time 
about  seventy-twO;,  but  full  of  health,  activity  and 
vigor  both  physical  and  mental.  Relieved  from  po- 
litical cares  and  anxieties,  his  mind  had  full  play,  and 
he  was  one  of  the  best  of  companions. 

A  "  splendid  locofoco  jam  "  was  given  in  February 
by  the  wife  of  the  Attorney-General,  Mrs.  Gilpin. 
Her  former  husband,  Senator  Johnston,  perished  in  a 
steamboat  explosion  on  Red  River.  A  musical  party 
given  by  Madame  Calderon,  wife  of  the  Spanish  min- 
ister, was  also  an  event  in  the  beau  monde.  She  was 
a  3  oung  Scotch  lady,  who  came  to  this  country  with 
her  mother,  Mrs.  Inglis.  She  was  allied  to  a  noble 
Scottish  family  and  occupied  a  high  position  in  Ed- 
inburgh. Misfortunes  compelled  them  to  emigrate  to 
Boston,  where  the  mother  and  two  accomplished 
daughters  established  a  female  seminary,  and  one 
afterwards  at  New  Brighton.  Here  Mr.  Calderon 
became  acquainted  with  the  family. 

'-  It  is  the  fashion  of  the  day  to  cry  up  Preston  as 
one  of  the  greatest  speakers  of  Congress.  A  gen- 
tleman who  had  heard  a  splendid  speech  from  him, 
said  he  had  heard  every  fine  figure,  every  classical 
allusion,  every  brilliant  thought,  several  years  before, 
applied  to  a  widely  different  topic."  This  remark 
was  hardly  just  to  Mr.  Preston ;  though  he  had  the 
habit  of  collecting  and  saving  for  use,  brilliant  figures 
similes,  &c.  The  writer  of  this  work,  while  living  in 
South  Carolina,  once  lent  him  the  poems  of  Lamar- 
tine.  When  he  returned  the  volumes,  several  sheets 
of  manuscript  were  found  in  them,  filled  with  trans- 


WILLIAM    C.  PRESTON'S  FIGURES.  271 

lations  of  fine  points  and  passages,  some  of  which  he 
afterwards  introduced  into  his  speeches.  Sometimes 
he  improved  on  the  poets  quoted.  One  passage  de- 
scribed an  eagle  on  a  dizzy  height,  pluming  himself 
on  his  occupancy  of  a  lofty  situation,  and  rebuked 
and  humhled  by  seeing  a  worm,  which  had  crawled 
to  the  same  elevation.  Mr.  Preston,  sympathizing 
with  the  proud  bird,  thus  improved  the  thought : 

"  The  worm  that  had  ignobly  crept  to  the  height, 
dared  to  compare  himself  to  the  eagle  I  The  worm 
had  crawled  up  ;  whereas  the  eagle  had  stooped  from 
his  companionship  with  the  sun!" 

The  birtlmight  ball  was  given  in  Carusi's  spacious 
ball-room.  The  floor  was  chalked  w^ith  eagles,  stars, 
banners, and  the  names  of  twenty-six  States.  Nicholas 
Biddle,  then  a  noted  lion,  w^as  among  the  guests. 
Amos  Kendall,  in  ball-room  costume,  with  white  kid 
gloves  and  satin  vest,  jostled  against  the  ladies. 
Kichard  Johnson,  the  Vice-President,  presented  Mr. 
Biddle  to  the  President,  Mr,  Clay,  Mr.  Woodbury 
and  Mr.  Forsythe  standing  by.  "  How  do  you  find 
things  in  Washington  ?"  asked  some  one  of  Mr. 
Biddle.  "  In  ten  years,"  said  he,  "  I  have  not  found 
politicians  of  all  parties  so  amiable  and  friendly." 
At  supper  he  was  seated  next  to  a  lady  next  the 
President,  at  the  head  of  the  center-table.  At  the 
close  of  the  supper,  a  rush  was  made  for  the  roses 
with  which  the  chandeliers  w^ere  ornamented.  One 
hung  over  the  head  of  the  President,  and  so  eager 
were  those  who  contended  for  the  spoils,  that  they 
broke  the  fastenings  of  the  chandelier,  and  down  it 
came  on  Mr.  Van  Buren's  head,  roses,  grease  and  all^ 


272  YAN   BUREN'S   ADMINISTRATIOJf. 

causing  him  to  retreat  to  his  carriage  with  his  whole 
outward  man  in  disorder.  Mr.  Biddle  and  Mr.  Clay 
saved  themselves  and  the  ladies  under  their  charge. 
The  eloquent  Menifee  of  Kentucky  was  there,  with 
light  hair  floating  loosely  around  his  fine  head,  his 
large  mouth  made  more  capacious  by  a  laugh,  his 
white  wristbands  turned  carelessly  over  the  sleeves 
of  his  coat. 

General  Scott  arrived  the  next  day,  and  departed 
•with  full  powers  to  allay  the  excitement  in  Maine  on 
the  subject  of  the  boundary  question.  General  Scott 
was  probably  at  this  time  the  most  remarkable  man 
in  the  nation,  and  the  man  to  whom  contending  par- 
tisans resorted  to  restore  order  and  protect  the 
national  honor.  In  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  the 
Seminole  war,  in  the  Canadian  insurrection,  he  was 
the  hero,  negotiator,  statesman  and  military  chief- 
tain, who  flew  to  the  scene  of  trouble  and  calmed 
the  turmoil  and  confusion.  He  occupied  the  same 
attitude  in  the  Maine  troubles,  having  given  ample 
proofs  of  the  highest  order  of  talent. 

A  grand  fancy  ball  was  given  on  the  21st  February 
by  the  wife  of  the  chief  financier  of  the  Bank  of 
Washington.  Mrs.  Weightman  appeared  in  the  char- 
acter of  Pocahontas,  magnificently  attired  as  an  In- 
dian princess,  receiving  the  company  in  her  roj^al 
wigwam.  Mrs.  Haight  of  New  York,  who  had  just 
returned  from  a  tour  through  Russia,  Turkey  and 
western  Europe,  sketching  descriptions  by  the  way, 
appeared  in  a  real  Turkish  dress  procured  at  Constan- 
tinople. Mile.  Vespucci  as  a  young  Greek  girl;  a  lady 
of  Louisiana  as  the  Maid  of  Athens.     Miss  Peters  of 


FETE    AT    M.    DE    BODISCO'S.  273 

Philadelphia,  was  the  Irish  basket  girl,  carrying  a 
basket  full  of  relics  and  curiosities  for  sale.  "Will 
yer  honor  buy  anything  of  me  ?  I  have  nine  small 
children,  six  praties,  and  not  a  pen'worth  of  a  hus- 
band." 

The  first  half  century  of  Congress  under  the  pres- 
ent constitution,  closed  on  the  3d  of  March,  1839. 
The  grand  closing  fete  was  given  at  Mr.  Bodisco's 
house  in  Georgetown.  In  the  second  suite  of  rooms, 
in  glass  cases,  were  various  curiosities,  the  presents 
of  emperors,  kings,  diplomatic  and  learned  bodies  in 
Europe,  received  by  the  minister  during  his  diplo- 
matic career.  The  plate  on  the  supper-table  was  of 
pure  silver  inlaid  with  gold  and  steel,  and  of  curious 
and  novel  workmanship.  Mr.  Bodisco  opened  the  ball 
by  a  grand  promenade  round  the  ball-room  to  the 
music  of  the  band,  with  the  wife  of  Major-General 
Macomb.  Among  the  ladies.  Miss  Adele  Granger  of 
Canandaigua,  was  noticed  particularly.  Her  na'ive 
manners  and  original,  discursive  imagination,  marked 
the  brilliancy  of  her  intellect.  This  lady  afterwards 
married  Mr.  Thayer,  a  gentleman  of  Boston,  and  is 
now  the  wife  of  Robert  Winthrop.  Mr.  Webster  w^as 
moving  through  whole  phalanxes  of  ladies,  talking 
and  smiling.  Mr.  Jennifer  of  Maryland,  w^as  equally 
brilliant  among  the  young  ladies. 

The  entertainments  given  by  the  foreign  ministers 
w^ere  not  all  idle,  profitless  amusement.  They  formed 
some  of  the  links  that  bind  distant  nations  together. 
His  Imperial  Majesty  of  all  the  Russias  had  never  yet 
been  represented  by  a  minister  of  half  the  popularity 
or  tact  of  M.  de  Bodisco.     The  singular  retirement  in 


274  YAN  buren's  administration. 

which  the  British  minister  lived,  created  an  impres- 
sion of  hostiUty  to  England,  much  deeper  than  shal- 
low observers  imagined.  Some  of  the  ladies  play- 
fully declared  his  seclusion  sufficient  cause  of  war. 

General  Scott  arrived  at  Saratoga  early  in  August, 
many  of  the  magnates  of  the  nation  being  there  al- 
ready. Scott  came  imheralded  and  unattended ;  yet 
he  created  a  deep,  quiet  and  uncontrollable  sensation. 
After  dinner  at  the  hotel  he  walked  into  the  grand 
drawing-room,  where  he  formed  the  center  of  a  group; 
the  strangers  and  villagers  being  collected  under  the 
portico  in  anxious  groups,  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
hero  and  statesman.  "Can  you  point  out  General 
Scott  ?"  asked  a  countryman,  pushing  his  head  through 
a  window.  "Very  easily;  pick  out  the  man  a  head 
higher  than  all  the  others;  that  is  General  Scott  1" 
During  the  promenade  Mr.  Yan  Buren  was  walking 
w^ith  an  old  lady  on  his  arm;  when  he  met  the  Gen- 
eral, the  latter  had  to  bend  down  considerably  to  put 
himself  on  a  level  with  the  little  President;  Mr. 
Poinsett  and  other  distinguished  personages  prome- 
nading; the  drawino'-room  at  the  same  time. 

The  grand  entrance  of  Mr.  Clay  into  Saratoga,  his 
speech  under  the  trees  of  the  United  States  Hotel, 
his  coronation  with  the  garland  of  roses  and  hya- 
cinths as  he  passed  through  the  grand  porches,  and 
the  splendid  coronation  ball,  were  incidents  long  re- 
membered. While  Mr.  Clay  spoke,  at  a  front  window 
opposite  him,  with  the  piazza  intervening,  stood  the 
venerable  and  dignified  Mrs.  DeWitt  Clinton,  looking 
like  a  queen  attended  by  her  maids  of  honor.  Lady 
Westmoreland  stood  in  the  front  rank  of  the  crowd, 


THE    MEETING    IN    THE    DRAWING-ROOM.  275 

her  brow  sparkling  with  diamonds;  General  Scott 
was  leaning  against  a  beech-tree.  As  Clay  came  near 
the  door,  the  coronet  descended  from  the  window  of 
Mrs.  Clinton's  room,  attached  to  a  silken  cord,  and 
touched  the  brow  of  Henry  Clay.  He  put  it  aside, 
and  it  lighted  on  the  shoulders  of  a  gentleman  from 
Richmond,  Virginia. 

A  lively  writer  thus  described  the  meeting  of  Mr. 
Clay  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  in  the  drawling-room  : 

^•'  Mr.  Clay  first  observed  his  rival  at  the  distance 
of  seven  women  and  a  half,  and  straightened  up  two 
inches  ;  a  few  flashes  of  lightning  came  from  liis  eyes, 
and  a  smile  extended  along  his  rugged  cheek.  At  a 
short  distance  beyond  one  of  the  center-tables,  stood 
General  Scott,  like  a  lion  looking  over  a  prairie  of 
heads  towards  the  fox  and  the  wolf  approaching  each 
other;  the  lion  measuring  in  his  mind  whether  it 
mio-lit  be  worth  his  while  to  eat  them  both  for  his 
supper  now,  or  to  v/ait  till  they  became  a  little  fatter, 
and  then  to  salt  them  down  for  a  dinner.  Every  eye 
in  the  grand  drawing-room  was  fixed  on  the  approach 
of  these  great  men. 

"^Mr.  President,'  said  Mr.  Clay,  as  he  came  within 
a  petticoat  and  a  half  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  '  How  do 
you  do  ?' 

"'I  thank  you,  Mr.  Clay,  I  am  happy  to  see  you. 
How  is  your  health?  I  hope  I  don't  obstruct  your 
progress?'  perceiving  the  promenade  blocked  up  by 
the  crowd  of  ladies. 

" '  Not  at  all,'  replied  Mr.  Clay,  ^  I  have  found  the 
utmost  facility  in  my  progress  since  I  entered  your 
dominions.' 


276  VAN  buren's  admixistratiox. 

"For  an  hour  the  three  luminaries,  Van  Buren, 
Clay  and  Scott,  continued  their  promenade ;  Scott 
outstripping  both  in  the  dignity  of  his  person  and 
manners,  the  military  grace  of  his  movements  and 
his  eno-ao-inii:  conversation. 

"'  Mr.  Clay's  conversation  is  fresh,  witty  and  some- 
times eloquent ;  but  his  manners  and  air  are  coarse, 
rough-hewn  and  uncultivated.  Mr.  Yan  Buren  has 
little  conversation ;  his  nature  is  too  cold  for  wit, 
fancy  or  humor.  Mr.  Clay  has  a  great  deal  of  wit, 
humor  and  fancy,  but  he  wants  delicacy,  fine  taste, 
and  exquisite  finish.  General  Scott  seems  to  possess 
all  these  qualities  of  mind  and  manners,  mixed  in 
such  due  proportions  as  peculiarly  to  fit  him  to  com- 
mand men  and  to  shine  in  general  society." 

Mr.  Calhoun's  dinino;  with  the  President  the  last 
of  December,  was  the  subject  of  general  comment 
among  the  political  gossips  of  the  metropolis.  The 
visit  was  imderstood  to  have  a  meaning;  and  the 
President's  object  was  suj^posed  to  be  healing  the  bad 
blood  between  Mr.  Calhoun  and  Colonel  Benton,  and 
inducing  them  to  be  quiet  till  after  the  election. 

Forsythe,  Paulding,  and  Poinsett,  were  the  chief 
companions  of  Mr.  Yan  Buren.  Mr.  Poinsett  was 
the  master  spirit  of  the  literary  section  of  the  cabinet. 
"The  amiable  disposition  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, and  the  fascination  of  his  excellent  wife  and 
family,  produced,  for  one  night,  an  entire  suspension 
of  political  hostilities  and  bitterness."  Thus  social 
life  brightened  up,  though  Congress  was  voted  dull. 

In  January,  1840,  the  fashionable  world  was  quiet. 
Mrs.  Gales  and  Mrs.  Woodbury  were  both  in  mourn- 


BODISCO'S    WEDDING.  277 


inir.  At  this  time  there  was  said  to  be  winterinfx  in 
Washington,  eight  or  ten  young  Ladies  of  large  fortunes 
and  great  accomphshments.  One  of  the  principal 
topics  of  conversation  was  the  approaching  marriage 
of  M.  de  Bodisco  to  Miss  Williams  of  Washington; 
only  seventeen,  but  tall  and  splendidly  developed. 
The  minister  had  been  struck  with  her  at  one  of  his 
children's  balls  the  preceding  year.  He  was  a  devo- 
ted lover,  while  awaiting  the  arrival  of  his  emperor  s 
permission  and  the  bridal  robe.  Mr.  Fox,  it  was  said, 
was  to  be  his  groomsman. 

The  fashionable  movements  were  inaugurated  in 
February.  A  party  given  by  Mrs.  Polk  went  off 
with  great  eclat,  and  the  first '-  Washington  assembly" 
was  held  in  the  dancing:  saloon  at  Carusi's  rooms. 
The  marriage  took  place  on  the  9th  of  April.  The 
attendants  of  the  bridegroom  were  assembled  about 
four  in  the  afternoon,  and  proceeded  to  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Williams.  They  were,  in  regular  order :  Senator 
Buchanan,  Mr.  Fox,  General  Dunlap,  Texan  Minister; 
Mr,  Martini,  Minister  from  the  Netherlands;  M.  Seruys, 
Belgian  Minister;  Mr.  Stockel  of  the  Kussian  Lega- 
tion ;  a  son  of  the  President,  and  a  son  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy.  There  were  eight  bridesmaids; 
the  first.  Miss  Jessie  Benton,  who  walked  with  Mr. 
Buchanan.  In  the  church  the  attendants  made  a 
circle,  the  bride  and  bridegroom  in  the  center,  the 
relatives  and  witnesses  around  them.  The  bridal 
cake  was  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  and  encircled 
with  a  wreath  of  white  roses. 

The  bride  wore  a  rich  satin  brocade,  and  veil  of 
Honiton  lace ;   her  ornaments  simply  a  pearl  sprig 


278  VAN  buren's  administration. 

and  pin.  The  brides-maids  wore  rich  figured  satin 
trimmed  with  lace,  a  plain  gold  bandeau  and  wreath 
of  orange  blossoms.  Mr.  Clay  gave  away  the  bride. 
M.  de  Bodisco  w^ore  his  splendid  court  dress  of  sil- 
ver decorated  with  several  orders ;  the  foreign  min- 
isters of  his  train  wearing  their  uniforms.  A  mag- 
nificent dinner  was  served  at  his  house  for  forty  per- 
sons. The  Vice-President,  General  Scott,  Mr.  For- 
sythe,  General  and  Mrs.  Macomb,  and  other  distin- 
guished guests  were  present. 

Fanny  EUsler  made  her  first  appearance  in  the 
capital  in  July,  1840,  before  a  brilliant  house ;  a  sea 
of  moving  beauty,  fashion  and  talent.  Congress  ad- 
journed at  an  early  hour  to  see  the  enchantress  in 
the  tarantella  and  the  cracovienne.  The  venerable 
ex-President  Adams  appeared  delighted  w^ith  the  per- 
formance. 

At  a  party  at  the  Spanish  minister's  in  January, 
the  great  attraction  of  the  evening  was  a  Chinese 
mandarin,  from  Canton.  He  stood  upon  the  rug  in 
one  of  the  luxurious  apartments,  and  looked  upon 
the  scene  w^ith  great  gravity  for  some  hours.  He 
was  presented  to  many  of  the  ladies,  and  one  of  them 
asked  him  "how  he  liked  the  dancing."  He  replied 
that  it  seemed  a  pretty  amusement,  but  rather  trouble- 
some, he  thought,  for  those  engaged  in  it ;  adding  that 
in  his  country  they  always  hired  the  dancers  at  parties. 
Being  asked  if  he  thought  the  women  pretty,  he  an- 
swered that  women  w^ere  pretty  all  over  the  world ;  and 
so  they  were  in  America,  and  so  they  were  in  China. 
When  asked  how  he  liked  the  large  feet,  he  replied 
that  "in  China  it  was  customary  to  make  the  feet 


MR.  CRITTENDEN.  279 

small ;  and  in  America,  he  supposed,  it  -was  the  cus- 
tom to  have  them  large."  Thus  he  answered  every 
question  like  a  diplomatist. 

The  following  remarks  were  made  on  Mr.  Critten- 
den: "Mr.  Crittenden  is  one  of  the  most  forcible  and 
impressive  speakers  in  the  Senate.  For  a  sudden^ 
unpremeditated  effort,  he  certainly  has  no  superior. 
His  diction  is  rich  almost  to  superabundance;  his 
style  is  chaste  and  energetic,  and  his  manner  agree- 
able. To  the  discussion  of  every  subject  he  always 
brings  a  store  of  valuable  information;  his  illustra- 
tions are  always  apposite,  and  he  illuminates  every 
topic  with  such  a  flood  of  light,  that  none  but  a  blind 
man  can  fail  to  see  the  whole  matter  clearly  and  dis- 
tinctly. Mr.  Buchanan  spoke  in  opposition.  Mr. 
Crittenden  followed  in  reply,  and  scattered  his  argu- 
ments like  dry  leaves  before  a  hurricane." 

A  singular  double  lecture  was  given  at  the  Taber- 
nacle in  New  York,  by  General  Gaines  and  his  wife, 
on  "National  Defence"  and  "The  Horrors  of  War." 
Mrs.  Gaines  occupied  the  third  seat  from  the  platform, 
immediately  in  front  of  the  General  w^hile  he  was 
speaking.  He  wore  the  full  uniform  of  a  general  of- 
ficer, and  had  a  diagram  of  the  embouchure  of  the 
Mississippi  behind  him,  to  which  he  pointed  with  his 
draw^n  sword.  When  he  had  concluded  his  address, 
Dr.  Griscom  adv^anced  to  Mrs.  Gaines'  seat,  and  con- 
ducted her  to  the  platform  amid  immense  cheering. 
She  was  dressed  in  a  black  velvet  pelisse,  and  wore 
ear-rings  and  diamonds  in  her  hair,  with  a  rich  silk 
hat  ornamented  with  a  waving  plume  of  bird  of  para- 
dise feathers.     She  held  in  her  hand  a  small  manu- 


280  VAN  burek's  admixisteatiox. 

script  from  which  she  read  her  lecture,  ijreneral 
Gaines  stood  behind  her  during  most  of  it. 

Senator  Hugh  Lawson  White  of  Tennessee,  resigned 
his  post  in  1840,  on  accomit  of  "instructions"  he 
could  not  follow.  He  died  in  the  May  following. 
Senator  Preston  pronounced  a  beautiful  eulogium  on 
him.  Senator  Hayne  of  South  Carolina,  was  in  per- 
son of  the  medium  size  or  a  little  taller,  and  of  a 
graceful  form.  He  had  a  line,  manl}'-  and  expressive 
face.  His  manners  were. easy,  cordial  and  unaffected ; 
his  address  was  winning;  and  his  mental  qualities 
w^ere  solid,  brilliant  and  practical.  He  was  always 
employed  in  useful  objects,  pursued  from  high  mo- 
tives and  by  fair  and  open  means.  With  varied 
talents,  he  was  distinguished  as  a  Senator,  and  dur- 
ing his  ten  years  of  service,  worked  indefatigably. 
He  bore  a  name  dear  to  the  South,  and  had  the  ad- 
vantages of  fortune  and  family  connection.  He  was 
twice  married,  into  the  Pinckney  and  Alston  families. 
He  was  a  party  in  the  great  debate  with  Webster, 
and  became  Governor  of  South  Carolina  to  enforce 
the  nullification  ordinance. 

Philip  P.  Barbour,  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
was  in  1820  a  Picpresentative  from  Virginia,  and  his 
duties  in  one  office  or  another  occupied  him  at  Wash- 
ington during  twenty-one  winters.  He  w^as  called 
"  a  man  worthy  of  the  best  days  of  the  Republic ; 
modest,  pure,  patriotic,  full  of  domestic  affections, 
devoted  to  Virginia  as  his  mother  State,  and  a  friend 
to  the  Union.  He  was  for  some  time  Speaker  of  the 
House,  and  was  appointed  to  the  bench  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  by  President  Van  Buren,  in  1837,  in 


COMMODORE    PORTER.  281 

place  of  Justice  Duval.  He  was  in  turn  succeeded 
by  Peter  V.  Daniel.  Barbour  was  a  Virginia  country 
gentleman,  after  the  most  perfect  model  of  that  class  ; 
living  on  his  baronial  estate  with  his  family,  slaves, 
flocks  and  herds.  He  was  a  strict  votary  of  that 
school  of  politics  of  which  Jefferson,  Madison,  John 
Taylor  of  Caroline,  Monroe,  Macon,  &c.,  were  the 
great  exemplars. 

The  naval  career  of  Commodore  Porter  illustrated 
the  benefits  of  the  cruising  system  in  our  naval  war- 
fare. His  personal  history  was  full  of  incident  and 
adventure,  in  keeping  with  his  generous  and  heroic 
character.  He  was  a  lion  on  the  quarter-deck  and 
in  battle, '-  the  Paul  Jones  of  the  second  war  of  Inde- 
pendence." His  death  occurred  during  Tyler's  Presi- 
dency. 


HAREISOX'S   ADMINISTRATION. 

Grand  Jubilee  in  honor  of  Harrison's  Election — The  President's  Din- 
ner— Crowds  to  witness  the  Inauguration — "  The  Father  of  the 
House  " — "  An  unruly  Set  of  Boys  " — ISIajor  Barney — The  three  Gen- 
erals Candidates  for  the  Succession — The  Farmer  and  the  President 
— Heiresses  and  Beauties — Phases  of  Society  in  Washington — The 
Southern  Aristocracy  and  the  Official  Circles — Forms  and  Barriers 
swept  away  by  the  Russian  Minister — The  Circle  professional — 
Death  of  the  President — The  Military  Funeral — The  Ladies  of  the 
Family — Fears  for  Mrs.  Harrison — Third  time  of  Tyler's  stepping  into 
Place  by  the  Peath  of  the  Incumbent — His  Arrival  in  Washington 
and  tamng  of  the  Oath  of  Office — Character  of  President  Harrison. 

TnEPtE  was  a  grand  jubilee  in  Alexandria  in  No- 
vember, 1840,  in  honor  of  the  election  of  General 
William  Henry  Harrison  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
United  States.  The  freedom  of  the  city  was  given 
to  more  than  two  thousand  visitors.  There  was  a 
procession ;  and  a  car  drawn  by  four  white  horses, 
carried  nineteen  young  girls,  each  waving  the  flag  of 
a  victorious  State.  "Welcome"  was  written  on  every 
house,  and  all  the  doors  were  thrown  open  to  stran- 
gers and  guests;  the  ladies  crying,  "Enter,  Whigs!" 
Mr.  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  of  Arlington 
House,  addressed  the  crowd  in  Market  Square,  com- 
mencing with  "  Friends  and  fellow-patriots,  and  most 
patriotic  ladies."     The  adopted  son  of  Washington, 


THE  HERO  OF  NORTH  BEND.         283 

whose  hair  was  white  with  the  snows  of  many  win- 
ters, was  very  enthusiastic  over  "  the  glorious  second 
revoUition." 

General  Harrison  had  already  received  thousands 
of  applications  for  office,  filed  them  all  and  docketed 
them,  with  the  careful  indorsement,  "  To  be  last  con- 
sidered." He  wrote  to  a  friend  :  "  I  shall  make  no 
promises  of  office  to  any  one,  nor  shall  I  give  any 
intimation  of  my  purposes  in  regard  to  the  formation 
of  my  cabinet.  I  am  determined  not  to  quarrel  with 
any  of  my  friends  before  the  4th  of  March." 

"The  Hero  of  North  Bend"  was  to  arrive  in  Wash- 
ington February  11th,  the  day  after  the  votes  were 
counted  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  Mr.  Van 
Buren  intended  to  break  up  his  household  on  the  20th 
February,  and  to  stay  for  the  rest  of  his  term  of 
office  with  his  friend  the  Attorney  General,  Henry 
D.  Gilpin. 

A  splendid  reception  was  given  General  Harrison 
in  Baltimore.  He  was  received  at  the  railway  station 
by  a  deputation  headed  by  the  Chief  Marshal,  and 
escorted  to  his  hotel.  The  President  elect  was  left 
on  Sunday  in  peace,  but  on  Monday  morning  the 
crowd  assembled  in  front,  and  the  old  gentleman 
came  out,  was  introduced  by  John  P.  Kennedy  with 
a  neat  little  speech,  and  received  his  visitors.  At  one 
o'clock  he  received  the  ladies  of  Baltimore  in  another 
part  of  the  hotel.  His  reception  in  Washington  was 
on  his  birthday,  and  his  welcome  was  enthusiastic. 
He  called  on  Mr.  Van  Buren,  who  invited  him  to  din- 
ner.    At  this  dinner  were  present  the  cabinet,  Mr. 

Wright,  Mr.  Yanderpoel,  and  Mr.  Kemble,  besides  the 

18 


284  Harrison's  administration. 

President  elect  and  his  suite.  Politics  were  banished 
from  the  conversation;  and  it  was  said  the  French 
cook  did  his  best,  hoping  to  be  retained  by  the  new 
President.  General  Harrison  said  to  Benton  across 
the  table:  '-Benton,  I  beg  you  not  to  be  harpooning 
me  in  the  Senate;  if  you  dislike  anything  in  my  ad- 
ministration, put  it  into  Clay  or  Webster,  but  don't 
harpoon  me."  Benton,  it  was  said,  very  good  humor- 
edly  agreed  by  a  nod,  to  separate  the  responsibility 
of  the  throne  from  "the  power  behind  the  throne." 
Harrison  visited  the  capitol  the  next  day  but  one. 
The  greeting  between  him  and  Mr.  Benton  was  court- 
eous and  cordial,  and  he  spoke  to  Mr.  Calhoun,  as  to 
an  old  and  attached  friend.  Calhoun  left  his  seat  and 
retired  with  Harrison  to  the  recess.  It  was  remarked  : 
"  General  Harrison  seems  the  only  man  among  the 
whigs  who  is  happy,  contented,  smiling,  satisfied, 
benevolent,  and  capable  of  taking  a  night's  rest.  He 
cracks  his  jokes,  and  fights  his  battles  o'er  again,  and 
appoints  his  cabinet  with  the  greatest  enjoyment. 
Mr.  Van  Buren  meets  his  fate  like  a  philosopher.  The 
President  coming  in,  and  the  President  going  out, 
seem  to  be  the  only  two  quiet  and  satisfied  men  in 
Washington.  General  Harrison  having  the  most  wit 
and  repartee,  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  the  most  indiffer- 
ence and  carelessness." 

The  Herald  gave  the  private  history  of  the  selec- 
tion of  the  cabinet,  as  a  curious  series  of  movements. 
Soon  after  the  election.  General  Harrison  offered  the 
State  department  to  Mr.  Clay,  and  intended  to  give 
the  Treasury  to  Mr.  Webster,  designing  the  four  re- 
maining departments  for  four  prominent  men  from 


Harrison's  cabinet.  285 

the  different  sections,  based  on  geographical,  political 
and  personal  considerations.  Mr.  Clay  declined,  pre- 
ferring hirs  position  in  the  Senate,  where  he  could 
shape  and  support  the  measures  of  the  new  adminis- 
tration. General  Harrison  then  resolved  to  offer  the 
State  department  to  Mr.  Webster,  the  Attorney-Gen- 
eralship to  Mr.  J.  J.  Crittenden,  and  the  Post-office  to 
Mr.  Ewing.  A  movement  w^as  made  in  the  news- 
papers to  overawe  the  action  of  the  President,  by  de- 
claring that  neither  Webster  nor  Clay  ought  to  be  in 
the  cabinet,  because  they  were  the  two  greatest  men 
of  the  w^hig  party,  and  their  intellect  and  talents 
w^ere  of  course  a  disqualification  for  the  cabinet,  in- 
asmuch as  many  would  think  of  them  for  the  succes- 
sion. Mr.  Webster  defeated  this  small  intrigue  by 
accepting  the  offer,  as  did  Mr.  Crittenden  and  Mr. 
Ewing.  The  vacancies  were  filled  on  sectional  prin- 
ciples. Nearly  the  entire  whig  delegation  of  New 
York  selected  Mr.  Granger,  a  gentleman  of  intelli- 
gence, education  and  high  character,  who  had  the 
Post-office  given  him — Mr.  Ewing  taking  the  Treas- 
ury department.  The  War  office  was  given  to  John 
Bell ;  the  Navy,  which  was  to  be  given  to  the  South, 
was  assigned  to  Mr.  Badger  by  the  Southern  whigs. 

General  Harrison  was  noted  as  one  of  the  most 
benevolent  men  of  the  age ;  kind-hearted  to  a  re- 
markable degree  and  very  patriotic.  "  The  fierce, 
obstinate,  energetic  will  which  characterized  General 
Jackson  did  not  belong  to  him.  His  presidency  will 
be  the  most  beneficent  of  all,  if  his  spirit  prevail  to 
any  extent.  His  cabinet  will  have  great  sway,  as  it 
ought,  Daniel  Webster  being  the  master  spirit,  the 


286  HARRISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

organizing  impulse,  the  comprehensive  soul,  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  age  and  century.  The  eyes  of 
Europe  and  America  are  upon  him,  and  in  his  present 
position  he  may  exercise  a  greater  influence  upon  the 
age  than  any  man  since  the  days  of  Washington." 

Mr.  Clay  was  the  premier  of  the  legislative  depart- 
ment, while  Mr.  Webster  was  that  of  the  executive. 
"  They  will  check  and  counter-check  each  other,  while 
the  old  General  himself  takes  things  very  easy — sits 
in  his  arm-chair  in  the  White  House,  cracks  his  jokes 
by  the  fireside,  fights  his  battles  o'er  again,  compli- 
ments  the  married  ladies,  rallies  the  old  bachelors, 
and  pats  the  cheeks  of  the  pretty  girls  with  great 
glee  and  pleasure.  Yet  I  think  it  must  be  a  hard- 
working, an  up-hill  administration  that  will  be  met 
with  opposition  from  the  jump."  The  most  imtiring, 
unforgiving  and  relentless  opposition  was  to  be  en- 
countered. 

The  weather  was  very  cold,  while  Washington  was 
fillin^T  with  crowds  to  witness  the  inauscuration.  Mr. 
Van  Buren  took  advantage  of  the  cold  to  fill  the 
Presidential  ice-house.  He  is  said  to  have  remarked : 
"The  President  elect  is  the  most  extraordinary  man 
I  ever  saw.  He  does  not  seem  to  realize  the  vast  im- 
portance of  his  elevation.  He  talks  and  thinks  with 
as  much  ease  and  vivacity  as  if  he  were  a  young  man. 
He  is  tickled  with  the  Presidency  as  a  young  w^oman 
is  with  a  new  bonnet." 

Others  thought  Harrison  would  succeed  the  better 
in  his  management  of  public  affairs  from  the  very 
fact  that  he  entered  the  White  House  with  a  joyous 
joke  on  his  lips.     "  Let  his  cabinet  be  harpooned,  but 


THE    PRESIDENT'S    JOKES.  287 

he  himself  ^vill  have  a  happy  time  in  the  White 
House.  General  Jackson  filled  the  palace  with  the 
vulgar  fumes  of  smoke  from  an  old  long  pipe.  Mr. 
Van  Buren,  at  an  expense  of  sixty  thousand  dollars, 
cleaned  the  apartments,  whitewashed  the  smoky  ceil- 
ings, and  filled  it  with  preciseness  and  cold  pedantry. 
General  Harrison  will  change  the  vulgarity  of  the 
one,  and  the  pretension  of  the  other.  He  will  make 
these  gorgeous  halls  reverberate  with  merry  peals  of 
laughter,  refined  repartee,  excruciating  anecdotes 
and  sparkling  bonmots." 

"  Let  me  introduce  Mr.  Williams,  of  North  Carolina 
to  you,  General,"  said  a  member  of  his  new  cabinet  to 
him  one  day.  "  Mr.  Williams  is  the  oldest  member  of 
the  House  of  Eepresentative:;,  and  you  know  is  called 
the  Father  of  the  House," 

^*  Mr,  Williams,"  replied  Harrison,  shaking  him  by 
the  hand, "  I  am  glad  to  see  the  Father  of  the  House, 
and  the  more  so  because  you  have  a  very  unruly  set 
of  boys  to  deal  w^th,  as  I  know."  The  General's  face 
was  beaming  with  a  benignant  smile,  and  the  by- 
standers broke  into  a  roar  of  lauo^hter. 

Allen,  the  editor  of  the  Madisonian,  a  small,  slight 
young  man,  not  much  of  a  lawyer,  w^as  introduced  to 
the  General.  "  Happy  to  see  you,  Mr.  Allen.  You 
are  a  good-looking  chap  for  these  parts  of  the  world, 
but  there  is  hardly  raw  material  enough  in  you  for 
the  girls  beyond  the  AUeghanies!" 

During  General  Harrison's  sojourn  in  Baltimore, 
when  he  received  the  visits  of  the  ladies,  the  Hon. 
John  Barney,  formerly  member  of  Congress  from 
Maryland,  stood  beside  him  to  assist  at  the  presenta- 


288  HARRISON'S    ADMINISTRATIOX. 

tions.  Looking  at  the  lovely  assemblage,  Major  Bar- 
ney waved  his  hand,  and  appealed  with,  "Now,  Gen- 
eral Harrison,  have  you  ever  seen  such  a  blaze  of 
beauty  and  loveliness!"  The  old  General  looked  at 
them,  then  at  the  gallant  Major,  and  replied  with  a 
half  benevolent,  half  satirical  smile,  in  the  words  of 

the  old  song : 

"  Oh,  Barney,  leave  the  girls  alone, 
Oh,  Barney,  leave  the  girls  alone.'* 

the  Major  exf)loding  like  a  steamboat  on  the  Missis- 
sippi. The  anecdote  flew  over  Baltimore,  and  for  once 
the  office-seeking  lazzaroni  and  suspending  financiers 
forgot  their  wretchedness  in  one  good  sound,  substan- 
tial broad  laugh,  at  the  joke. 

General  Harrison  had  been  a  guest  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Seaton,  Mayor  of  the  city,  for  a  few  days  before 
the  inauguration.  At  noon  the  procession  entered 
the  northern  gate  of  the  Capitol  Square,  and  the 
President  elect  wms  escorted  into  the  Senate  Chamber. 
He  proceeded  escorted  by  that  body,  the  Judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  and  the  Foreign  Ministers,  to  the 
platform  under  the  grand  eastern  portico,  where  the 
inaugural  address  was  delivered.  Over  the  heads  of 
the  august  companj^  rose  the  splendid  Corinthian  col- 
umns, over  them  the  magnificent  dome,  and  over  that 
the  bright  blue  sky.  In  front  were  the  musical  bands; 
to  the  right  and  left  military  companies ;  and  immense 
crowds  of  people  filled  the  square  in  every  direction. 
They  hung  around  the  steps,  pedestals  and  columns ; 
some  were  seen  craw^ling,  small  as  bees,  around  the 
foot  of  the  dome,  and  leaning  over  the  dizzy  heights 
of  the  highest  porticoes.     After  the  ceremonies,  the 


THE  FARMER  AND  THE  PRESIDENT.      289 

President  proceeded  to  the  White  House,  where  he 
received  the  congratulations  of  his  friends. 

General  Scott  had  arrived  shortly  before  the  in- 
auguration, accompanied  by  General  Coombes  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  Colonel  DeKay  of  New  York.  "  The  hero 
of  Lundy's  Lane  "  was  well  and  in  good  spirits.  Gen- 
eral Gaines  was  there  too ;  and  "  all  standing  in  the 
position  of  capital  candidates  for  the  succession  in 
1845." 

The  pomp,  parade  and  pageantry  of  the  inaugura- 
tion having  passed  away ; — the  session  of  the  Senate 
succeeding  it,  with  the  arrival  of  the  English  messen- 
gers and  the  struggles  for  office,  the  great  business 
of  the  administration  becran.  General  Harrison  won 
golden  opinions  from  all  sorts  of  people.  His  frank, 
plain,  unostentatious  demeanor  became  the  soldier 
and  one  to  whom  the  simplicity  of  a  patriarchal  age 
was  natural.  At  North  Bend  he  had  been  distin- 
guished for  hospitality  and  benevolence,  and  he 
brou^rht  to  Washing^ton  all  the  habits  and  feelint^^s 

CO  o 

which  had  endeared  him  to  the  people  of  Ohio. 

A  plain,  farmer-like  man  called  to  see  the  President 
one  stormy  day  while  he  was  at  dinner,  and  was  shown 
by  the  servant  to  a  room  where  there  was  no  fire. 
General  Harrison  asked,  "  Why  did  you  not  show  the 
man  into  this  room,  where  it  is  warm  and  comfort- 
able?" 

The  servant  said  something  about  soiling  the  car- 
pet. "  Never  mind  the  carpet  another  time,"  said  the 
General.  "  The  man  is  one  of  the  people ;  and  the 
carpet  and  the  house  too,  belong  to  the  people." 

An  extra  session  was  called  for,  to  commence   on 


290  HARRISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

the  31st  of  May.  Meanwhile,  towards  the  close  of 
March  the  President  ^vas  a  sufferer  from  bilious  pleu- 
risy, w^iicli  confined  him  to  his  bed.  The  bell  of  the 
palace  was  muffled,  the  physicians  directing  that  the 
patient  should  be  quiet  and  undisturbed. 

The  beautiful  weather  of  this  season  brought  out 
the  fashionables  in  bevies.  New  York  heiresses  and 
beauties,  and  beauties  and  heiresses  from  the  District, 
Baltimore,  Richmond,  Maryland  and  Virginia,  all  were 
in  Washington ;  and  it  was  expected  that  the  extra 
session  w^ould  bring  hundreds  from  Alabama,  Missis- 
sippi and  the  evergreen  homes  of  Louisiana. 

'-  Society  in  Washington,"  said  an  observer, "  is  very 
clannish,  and  there  is  not  a  place  in  America  where 
there  is  so  much  sycophancy  to  station.  By  this  I 
mean  that  the  resident  population  make  it  their  busi- 
ness to  court  the  influence  of  office-holders,  of  men 
of  public  distinction.  During  the  last  inauguration, 
there  w\as  in  this  city,  the  greatest  collection  of  pri- 
vate gentlemen  ever  convened  in  this  country.  Most 
of  those  men  w^ere  of  high  character,  w^ealth  and 
learning,  and  their  letters  of  civility  were  received 
and  treated  like  an  application  for  office.  There  are 
several  divisions  in  society.  Probably  the  first  and 
most  worthy  and  well  mannered  is  the  ancient  aris- 
tocracy of  Virginia  and  Maryland.  This  class  is  not 
very  rich,  but  is  very  proud.  All  the  flimilies  attached 
to  their  circle  have  pretty  and  educated  daughters; 
and  he  wdio  can  show  the  most  title-deeds  and  will 
bid  up,  is  likely  to  w^in  the  brightest  flower  in  their 
held  of  beauty.  These  families  are  very  envious  of 
the  lovely  daughters  of  Kentucky  and  the  remote 


WASHINGTON    SOCIETY.  291 

t^outb,  and  without  intending  it,  they  are  sure  to 
point  out  a  hundred  faults  in  every  girl  who  comes 
here  to  dash  for  an  elegant  husband.  And  yet  this 
aristocracy  is  a  most  worthy  part  of  society  in  the 
District.  In  its  ranks  may  be  found  the  widows  of 
distinguished  soldiers  in  the  army  and  of  gallant  cap- 
tains in  the  navy  ;  the  children  of  dead  senators,  law- 
yers and  judges.  They  are  truly  proud  of  their  line- 
age, and  not  unfrequently  call  up  the  achievements 
and  exploits  of  their  ancestry. 

'•There  is  always  a  large  circle  in  Washington  formed 
by  the  President,  Secretaries,  auditors  and  chief  clerks. 
This  class  embraces  a  great  multitude  of  visitors  from 
every  part  of  the  Union.  General  Harrison  and  his 
cabinet  can  make  any  favorite  girl  a  belle,  and  so  can 
Clay  or  Preston.  This  official  circle  in  the  more 
agreeable  amusements  of  society,  is  from  necessity 
considerably  exclusive.  They  receive  and  entertain 
a  great  many  upon  the  common  forms ;  but  none 
save  intimate  friends  ever  reach  their  fireside  socia- 
bility and  freedom.  On  public  occasions  and  at  great 
parties  the  leading  officers  of  government  are  very 
complacent  and  patronize  strangers.  They  are  will- 
ing to  do  this  much,  and  then  they  expect  you  to 
make  your  way  through  society  and  bother  them  no 
more. 

'•The  foreign  ministry  have  m  their  train  along 
list  of  sycophantic  good-for-nothings,  who  have  little 
modesty  and  less  behavior.  The  ministry  proper, 
though  a  little  odd  in  their  ways  and  grotesque  in  ap- 
pearance, are  all  clever  fellows ;  they  are  treated  po- 
litely by  American  citizens,  and  some  of  the  ladies, 


292  Harrison's  administration. 

who  are  full  of  romance  and  curiosity,  grow  very  frisky 
at  sight  of  an  attache,  and  cannot  conceal  a  longing 
they  have  to  dance  and  flirt  with  the  interesting  for- 
eigners. The  ministers  live  high,  and  are  fond  of  com- 
pany and  gayety.  Bodisco,  the  Eussian  minister,  by 
his  marriage  in  the  District,  has  broken  down  and 
swept  away  many  of  the  forms  and  barriers  formerly 
in  the  way  of  a  more  intimate  association  with  the 
foreign  diplomatic  corps.  Curiosity,  as  much  as  any 
other  consideration,  makes  these  men  interesting.  To 
their  trailers,  every  now  and  then,  they  give  expen- 
sive entertainments. 

"  There  is  then  an  extensive  circle,  made  up  of  law- 
yers, merchants,  and  half  made  people,  who  by  luck 
have  come  suddenly  into  possession  of  what  the  miser 
loves  most.  These  people  form  their  own  coteries 
and  have  very  merry  times;  in  their  families  there  is 
much  beauty  and  quite  a  dash  of  intelligence  and  ac- 
complishment. Some  of  them  are  modest  and  retired ; 
some  religious ;  some  fiishionable,  and  some  foolish. 

"  It  takes  all  these  circles  to  make  the  society  of  a 
court-city  like  Washington.  Out  of  them  may  be 
carved  a  distinct  and  extensive  army  who  rally  as 
'  the  glass  of  fashion.'  This  division  of  every  class 
is  very  lazy  and  for  the  most  part  very  stupid ;  the 
members  lead  a  life  of  excessive  dissipation." 

One  month  from  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  on 
fhc  4th  April,  1841,  William  Henry  Harrison  died  at 
the  White  House.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Hawley  was  in  the 
room  where  he  lay,  with  his  medical  and  personal  at- 
tendants, and  in  the  adjoining  room  were  a  number 
of  his  friends,  anxiously  waiting  for  intelligence.     At 


DEATH    OF    THE    PIIESIDENT.  203 

twenty  minutes  before  one  o'clock  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, Dr.  Ilawley  announced  the  dreaded  event. 

The  cabinet,  assembled  in  the  adjoining  room,  im- 
mediately drew  lip  an  official  statement.  Mrs.  Harri- 
son was  still  at  North  Bend. 

The  last  words  of  the  President  were  :  "  I  wish 
you  to  understand  and  remember,  the  principles  that 
govern  me,  and  carry  them  out.     I  ask  no  more." 

Mrs.  William  Harrison,  the  President's  widowed 
d aught er-in-law%  had  been  constantly  at  his  side  till 
consciousness  departed.  Miss  Clark  of  Baltimore  was 
there  too,  till  compelled  by  her  feelings  to  leave  the 
room.  She  was  the  daughter  of  a  lady  who.  General 
Harrison  had  often  said,  saved  his  life  when  he  was  a 
member  of  Congress.  He  always  bore  the  warmest 
gratitude  and  affection  to  every  member  of  the  family. 
During  the  last  day  of  his  life,  he  received  every- 
thing from  Miss  Clark  with  more  satisfaction  than 
from  any  other  hand.  She  remained,  with  Mrs.  Find- 
laj',  Mrs.  Harrison  and  Mrs.  Taylor  of  Kichmond, 
niece  to  the  President,  constantly  at  his  bedside 
during  his  illness,  and  nothing  human  foresight  or 
unremitting  attention  could  do  to  alleviate  the  fatal 
disease  was  left  undone.  The  other  relatives  and 
connections  present  in  the  executive  mansion  w^ere 
Mr.  D.  0.  Copeland,  the  nephew  of  the  President; 
Henry  Harrison  of  Virginia,  his  grand-nephew,  and 
Findlay  Harrison  of  Ohio,  his  grandson.  The  disease, 
according  to  the  report  of  the  physicians,  was  pneu- 
monia, with  congestion  of  the  liver  and  derangement 
of  the  stomach  and  bowels. 

On  the  following  day  the  public  were  admitted  to 


294  HARRISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

view  the  remains,  lying  in  the  large  ball  just  within 
the  entrance  to  the  palace.  Mr.  Thatcher  Webster, 
chief  clerk  of  the  Department  of  State,  had  been  im- 
mediately despatched  to  bring  Mr.  Tyler,  the  Vice- 
President,  to  Washington.  The  military  arrange- 
ments for  the  funeral  were  under  the  direction  of 
Major-General  Macomb,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
army,  and  Major-General  Walter  Jones  of  the  militia 
of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  civic  procession 
was  directed  by  the  Marshal  and  the  Mayors  of  Wash- 
ino-ton,  Georo-etown  and  Alexandria. 

Fears  were  expressed  for  Mrs.  Harrison,  who  was 
then  aged  and  infirm.  She  had  feared  the  worst, 
knowing  how  little  the  General  would  spare  himself 
when  his  public  duties  demanded  his  time  and  action. 
She  had  not  wished  his  election ;  in  lixct  had  expressed 
herself  opposed  to  it,  valuing  her  family  comfort  be- 
fore all  worldly  honors.  General  Harrison  had  com- 
pleted his  sixty-eighth  year  the  day  he  entered  Wash- 
ington in  triumph  on  his  way  from  North  Bend  to 
Virginia.  He  was  a  pure  patriot.  His  youth  had 
been  passed  among  scenes  of  the  Revolution,  and 
love  of  liberty,  courage,  and  devotion  to  his  country, 
had  marked  his  whole  career.  He  was  benevolent, 
sincere  and  ardent  in  his  attachments,  frank  and  un- 
ostentatious in  his  demeanor  and  cheerful  in  his  dis- 
position. It  was  said  by  one  who  knew  him  well, 
that  his  suavity  of  manners,  his  generosity  and  kind- 
ness of  heart,  invariably  won  him  the  warm  affections 
of  those  who  were  placed  under  his  authority;  while 
his  moderation,  his  disinterestedness,  his  scrupulous 
attention  to  the  public  interests,  and  the  wisdom  with 


MR.    TYLER'S    ACCESSION.  295 

which  he  exercised  the  extensive  powers  entrusted  to 
him^  commanded  respect  and  confidence. 

In  person,  General  Harrison  was  slender,  and  rather 
under  the  middle  height.  His  features  were  irregular 
and  rather  strongly  marked.  His  eyes  were  dark 
and  penetrating;  his  forehead  high  but  narrow;  his 
mouth  denoted  firmness,  and  his  expression  indicated 
benevolence. 

His  constitution  had  never  been  robust,  and  the 
flitigues  of  his  journey  from  North  Bend,  with  the 
excitement  consequent  upon  the  inauguration  and 
the  subsequent  scenes,  conspired  to  produce  the  fatal 
disease. 

It  was  noticed  as  remarkable  that  Mr.  Tyler  now 
stepped  for  the  third  time  into  a  high  public  trust  by 
the  death  of  the  incumbent.  He  was  made  Governor 
of  Virginia  by  the  death  of  the  Executive ;  he  was 
made  a  Senator  by  the  death  of  one  before  his  time 
expired  ;  and  now  he  became  President  of  the  United 
States. 

The  greatest  anxiety  was  expressed  by  all  whigs 
to  know  if  he  would  carry  out  General  Harrison's 
plans  and  Welshes;  if  he  would  retain  the  cabinet; 
or  if  he  w^ould  branch  off  on  a  new  track  of  Virginia 
politics. 

Mr.  John  Tyler  arrived  in  Washington  on  Tuesday;, 
taking  the  oath  of  ofiSce  on  the  6th  April. 


XI. 

TYLER'S  ADMI^'ISTEATION. 

Confidence  in  John  Tyler — A  Model  of  Courtesy  and  Dignity — The 
weather-beaten  Englishman — Scene  at  Tyler's  Home — Rumors  of  the 
British  Minister's  Marriage — The  Ladies  of  the  Executive  Mansion 
— Mrs.  Robert  Tyler — Extracts  from  her  Letters  describing  Life 
at  the  White  House — Receptions,  &c. — The  First  Diplomatic  Din- 
ner— The  City  full  of  splendid  Women — A  Lady's  Conversation  with 
the  President — Summer  Assemblages  in  the  Executive  Grounds, 
with  Music — The  Fourth  of  July — Fashionable  Belles  and  Statesmen 
on  the  Promenade,  at  the  rural  Re-unions — Fancy  of  the  Kegroes 
about  the  Veto — Political  Disagreements  no  Bar  to  Social  Gayety 
— Incident  at  Mrs.  Crittenden's  Party — Mrs.  Bell's  Party  in  August 
— Mrs.  Robert  Tyler's  Description  of  her  New  Year's  Reception, 
and  of  Madame  Bodisco's  Party,  and  the  Ball  in  the  Theatre — Lord 
Morpeth  at  Dinner  at  the  White  House — Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court — Party  at  the  "Mess"  at  Kennedy's — The  Butcher  at  the 
President's — Mrs.  Tyler's  Reception  for  Dickens. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned,  with  doubt  and  anxiety, 
to  the  organization  of  the  administration  under  the 
new  President.  The  whigs  were  excited  and  agitated, 
and  the  conservatives  fall  of  joyous  expectations.  Yet 
it  was  admitted  that,  so  far  as  the  interests  of  the  coun- 
try were  concerned,  Mr.  Tyler  might  be  relied  on  with 
perfect  confidence.  He  was  acknowledged  to  be  a 
man  of  a  very  high  order  of  talent  and  much  experi- 
ence as  a  statesman.  Elevated  and  patriotic  in  his 
views,  of  a  frank,  gallant  and  independent  spirit,  it 


CHARACTER    OF    MR.    TYLER.  207 

was  known  that  he  would  administer  the  government 
with  reference  to  the  true  interests  of  the  people, 
without  regard  to  the  wishes  and  schemes  of  cliques. 
He  belonged  to  the  rational  and  practical  class  of 
Virginia  politicians.  Without  running  into  the  ex- 
treme of  radicalism  which  distinguished  Mr.  Jefler- 
son,  and  avoiding  any  loose  interpretation  of  the  Con- 
stitution, Mr.  Tyler  coincided  generally  with  the  views 
and  principles  of  Mr.  Madison.  He  had  always  been 
held  in  very  high  estimation  by  the  citizens  of  his 
native  State,  and  had  occupied  important  positions. 
After  having  served  as  Governor  of  Virginia,  he  had 
been  elected  over  John  Randolph  to  the  Senate  of 
the  United  States,  in  1828. 

After  it  had  been  determined  to  nominate  General 
Harrison  for  the  Presidencj^,  Mr.  Tyler  w\as  selected 
for  Vice-President,  to  receive  the  support  of  the  South, 
and  without  reference  to  his  political  principles,  or 
inquiry  as  to  his  sentiments  upon  the  j^i'ominent  meas- 
ures of  the  whig  party.  Thus  everything  in  his  his- 
tory and  character  warranted  the  supposition  that  he 
would  administer  the  government  on  the  most  ele- 
vated and  honorable  principles. 

"  Nothino;  can  be  more  admirable  than  the  bearing- 
and  demeanor  of  President  Tyler  to  the  innumerable 
applicants  for  his  countenance  and  favor.  He  is  a 
model  of  courtesy,  urbanity,  kindness  and  dignity.  I 
have  never  seen  a  President  wdiose  port  and  manner 
were  so  commanding,  and  at  the  same  time  so  accept- 
able to  all  wdio  approached  him.  General  Jackson  was 
a  man  of  much  dignity  of  manner,  and  most  imposing 
presence ;  but  he  ^vas  capricious,  fastidious,  irritable, 


298  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

and  sometimes  overbearing.  President  Tyler  is  abun- 
dantly courteous  and  graceful  in  his  address,  but  there 
is  nothing  of  hauteur  or  condescension  in  his  manner ; 
it  is  affable,  natural,  frank  and  gentlemanly.  He  is 
considerate  to  the  applications  of  all,  but  none  go 
away  with  delusive  hopes.  No  man  has  a  kinder  or 
more  benevolent  heart,  none  a  more  resolute  and  de- 
termined spirit.  An  old  weather-beaten  Englishman 
called  on  him  for  assistance  to-day.  He  carried  a  let- 
ter from  the  Eng;lish  consul  at  Baltimore.  The  Presi- 
dent  read  his  papers  over  attentively. 

"'  Sir,'  said  he,  '  I  am  not  the  proper  person  to  apply 
to.     You  must  go  to  the  British  minister.' 

"•I  have  been  to  Mr.  Fox,'  said  the  old  man,  'but 
he  declines  to  do  anything  for  me.  The  consul  at 
Baltimore  sent  me  to  the  vice-consul  at  Alexandria ; 
but  I  got  no  relief  from  him.' 

"'  Go  to  the  Secretary  of  State,'  said  Mr.  Tyler,  ^md 
say  that  I  request  him  to  take  your  case  into  consid- 
eration.' 

"^I  have  been  there,  and  Mr.  Webster  says  he  has 
no  jurisdiction  in  the  matter.' 

"  But  the  President  would  not  permit  the  broken- 
down  old  man  to  depart. 

"^  John !  John  !'  His  private  secretary  had  stepped 
into  the  next  room:  'Go  in  there,  and  my  son  will 
see  what  can  be  done  for  you.'" 

Whether  the  case  was  one  that  admitted  of  relief 
from  the  Executive  is  not  known  ;  but  the  old  man 
was  sensibly  touched  by  the  sympathy  and  interest 
manifested  in  his  behalf 

A  scene  w\as  said  to  have  occurred  at  his  private 


ADDRESS    TO    HIS    CHILDREN.  299 

dwelling  in  Williamsburg,  immediately  after  receiving 
the  news  of  his  accession  to  the  Presidency.  He 
called  his  sons  and  daughters,  including  Robert's  wife, 
about  him,  and  in  the  presence  of  some  intimate 
friends,  addressed  them,  informing  them  of  the  deplor- 
able event  which  had  brought  about  his  unexpected 
elevation;  reminded  them  that  the  promotion  was 
only  temporary,  and  should  be  sustained  with  humility 
and  meekness.  "To  you,  Priscilla  and  Elizabeth,"  he 
continued — "  it  is,  I  trust,  scarcely  necessary  to  say, 
that,  as  upon  you  will  presently  devolve  the  duty  of 
presiding  at  the  White  House,  you  should  be  equal 
and  untiring  in  your  affabilities  to  all ;  and  you  should 
remember  that  nothing  betrays  a  little  soul  so  much 
as  the  exhibition  of  airs  or  assumptions  under  any 
circumstances.  My  sons,  too,  must  not  forget  the 
saying  of  the  ancient  hero  who  desired  his  family,  in- 
stead of  abandoning  themselves  to  exultation  for  his 
triumph,  to  bear  in  mind  that  in  the  next  battle  he 
might  be  beaten.  True  nobleness  of  soul  is  only 
evinced  in  never  suffering  station  to  tempt  us  into  a 
for^cetfulness  of  ourselves,  and  of  what  we  owe  to  oth- 
ers.  In  short,  my  sons  and  daughters,  whatever  you 
say  or  do,  act  wdth  reference  to  the  day  which  is  so 
close  at  hand,  when  I  must  return  to  plain  John  Tyler, 
and  may  you  never,  as  the  President's  famil}^,  either 
in  thought,  word,  or  deed,  do  aught  which  you  will 
regret  to  be  told  of  hereafter,  when  you  shall  be 
nothing  higher  than  plain  John  Tyler's  children." 
Could  they  be  anything  higher  than  the  children  of 
a  great  and  good  man,  with  such  a  soul  as  is  here  in- 
dicated ? 

19 


300 

The  President  once  remarked  to  an  acquaintance 
that  it  seemed  there  could  not  be  a  thought  in  the 
human  mind,  which  might  not  be  found  somewhere 
in  Shakspeare. 

The  other  answered  that  it  must  be  so.  '^  I  remem- 
ber even  the  substance  of  Mr.  Clav's  lon<2:  argument 

»/  O  CD 

against  you  for  signing  the  veto,  comprised  in  two  lines 
of  the  bard  of  Avon : 

'"Conscience  !  'tis  our  coin  I  we  live  by  parting  with  it, 
And  he  thrives  best,  who  has  the  most  to  spare.* 

Had  you  parted  with  jour  conscience  by  permitting 
the  ten  days  to  elapse,  which  were  required  to  make 
the  bank  bill  a  law,  Mr.  Clay  is  of  opinion  you  would 
have  thriven  better." 

It  w^as  thought  that  the  extra  session  would  oblit- 
erate all  the  old  party  lines,  and  that  a  new  organi- 
zation w^ould  be  formed. 

Washington  was  always  an  extraordinary  place  for 
rumors.  When  the  Spanish  minister  sold  out  his  fur- 
niture, and  Mr.  Fox  bought  many  elegant  and  valua- 
ble articles  and  sent  them  to  his  house,  the  report  that 
he  was  going  to  leave  the  country  in  a  rage,  gave 
place  to  one  that  he  w^as  about  to  get  married.  The 
ladies  talked  a  deal  about  this  antiquated  mummy-like 
representative  of  Her  Majesty,  but  none  of  them 
could  tell  wdiat  was  going  to  happen. 

Sunnner  commenced  in  May,  in  all  its  beauty  and 
brightness.  The  capitol  yard  and  public  grounds 
were  decorated  with  the  richest  variety  of  roses,  tu- 
lips, hyacinths,  and  beautiful  exotics.  One  peony 
bush   bent  under   the  weight   of  nearly   a   hundred 


MRS.    BOBERT   TYLER.  301 

flowers,  many  of  which  were  six  inches  in  width. 
Some  of  the  ladies  of  the  President's  family  arrived 
the  last  of  April — Mrs.  Tyler,  Jr.,  the  wife  of  his  son, 
and  Miss  Tyler.  The  w^ife  of  the  President  was  in 
delicate  health,  and  would  not  leave  home  till  the 
weather  became  settled.  The  younger  Mrs.  Tyler 
was  described  as  a  very  elegant  and  accomplished 
woman,  and  Miss  Tyler  as  beautiful,  graceful  and 
lad\'-like.  With  such  aids  to  the  proverbial  urbanity 
and  dignity  of  the  President,  it  was  reasonably  ex- 
pected that  the  hospitalities  of  the  executive  man- 
sion would  soon  be  dispensed  in  a  style  of  elegance 
and  good  taste.  John  Tyler's  first  wife  was  Letitia 
Christian  of  Virginia. 

Mrs,  Robert  Tyler  possessed  great  conversational 
powers,  with  a  playful  humor  and  readiness  at  repar- 
tee, which  made  her  society  peculiarly  fascinating. 
She  had,  too,  a  tender  heart,  "open  as  day  to  melt- 
ing charity  -, "  and  her  devotion  to  parents,  children 
and  friends,  had  rendered  her  the  idol  of  a  domestic 
circle.  She  was  the  grand-daughter  of  Major  Fairlie, 
of  New  York,  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  a  disting-uished  citizen.  Her  mother  was  a  cele- 
brated  belle,  whom  Washington  Irving  remembered 
vividly  as  his  friend,  and  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
women  of  the  day ;  a  fliir  and  witty  and  most  worthy 
lady.  Her  father  was  Mr.  Cooper,  one  of  the  most  emi- 
nent tragedians  of  that  time.  Educated  with  great 
care,  her  splendid  natural  qualities  of  mind  were  so 
developed  as  to  dignify  and  adorn  the  highest  station. 
She  had  been  accustomed  from  childhood  to  the  best 
socictv,  and  amono-  her  mother's  intimate  friends  were 


302  Tyler's  admixistratiox. 

the  Hosacks,  the  Livingstons,  tlie  McEvers,  the  Pauld- 
incjs,  and  many  of  the  most  distiniz:uished  families  in 
New  York.  The  young  lady  first  met  Robert  Tyler 
in  Richmond,  and  >vas  married  to  him  less  than  a  year 
afterwards.  He  was  said  to  be  a  young  man  of  bril- 
liant genius,  in  high-wrought  and  vivid  imagery  re- 
sembhng  Shelley,  whom  he  was  like  in  person ;  and 
as  an  orator,  he  had  made  a  very  favorable  impres- 
sion. 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Tyler's 
sister,  dated  Washington,  April  29th,  1841 : 

"What  wonderful  changes  take  place!  my  dearest 
M .  Here  am  I,  nee  Priscilla  Cooper  ('^nez  ret- 
rousse' you  will  perhaps  think)  actually  living  in — 
and  what  is  more,  presiding  at — the  White  House! 
I  look  at  myself  like  the  little  old  woman,  and  ex- 
claim: 'Can  this  be  I  ?'  I  have  not  had  one  moment 
to  myself  since  my  arrival,  and  the  most  extraordi- 
nary thino;  is  that  I  feel  as  if  I  had  been  used  to  liv- 
ing  here  always;  and  receive  the  cabinet,  ministers, 
the  diplomatique  corps,  the  heads  of  the  army  and 
navy,  etc.,  etc.,  with  a  facility  which  astonishes  me? 
SSome  achieve  greatness — some  are  born  to  it'  I  am 
plainly  born  to  it.  I  really  do  possess  a  degree  of 
modest  assurance  that  surprises  me  more  than  it  does 
any  one  else.  I  am  complimented  on  every  side;  my 
hidden  virtues  are  coming  out.  I  am  considered 
' charmante'  by  the  Frenchmen,  'lovely' hy  the  Am- 
ericans, and  'really  quite  nice,  you  Jcnoiv,'  by  the  Eng- 
lish."   

"May  — ,  1841. —  ....  We  have  had  a  cabinet 
dinner,  and  I  have  disgraced  myself  with  father  for- 


THE    CABINET    DINNER.  303 

ever: — just  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  experiment, 
at  the  moment  the  ices  were  being  put  upon  the  table, 
everybody  in  a  good  humor,  and  all  going  ^  merry  as 
a  marriage  bell' — what  should  I  do  but  grow  deathly 
pale,  and,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  fall  back  in  a 
fainting  fit  I  Mr.  Webster,  wdio  was  sitting  next  me, 
picked  me  up  in  his  arms,  and  took  me  away  from 
the  table  ;  and  Mr.  Tyler,  with  his  usual  impetuosity, 
deluged  us  both  with  ice-water,  ruining  my  lovely 
new  dress,  and,  I  am  afraid,  producing  a  decided  cool- 
ness between  himself  and  the  Secretary  of  State.  I 
had  to  be  taken  to  my  room,  and  poor  Mr.  Webster 
had  to  be  shaken  off,  dried  and  brushed,  before  he 
could  resume  his  place  at  the  table !  What  a  contre- 
temps!    .... 

"May  — ,  1841 Besides  the  cabinet  dinner 

I  mentioned  in  my  last  letter,  we  have  had  two  other 
dinners,  and  are  about  having  a  State  diplomatique 
dinner — at  all  of  which  entertainments  your  ^accom- 
plished' sister  presides — sitting  opposite  the  Presi- 
dent with  the  most  important  man  in  the  company 
at  her  right  hand !  I  have  had  some  lovely  dresses 
made  which  fit  me  to  perfection — one  a  pearl-colored 
silk  that  would  set  you  crazy.  Its  effect,  with  pink 
roses  in  the  hair,  and  bouquet  de  corsage  of  the  same 
flowers,  I  will  leave  you  to  imagine. 

"  I  occupy  poor  General  Harrison's  room.  I  had 
no  superstitious  feeling  upon  the  subject,  and  it  is  as 
pleasant  as  possible.  The  nice,  comfortable  bed- room, 
with  its  handsome  furniture  and  curtains,  its  luxuri- 
ous arm-chairs,  and  all  its  belongings,  I  enjoy,  I  be- 
lieve, more  than  anything  else  in  the  establishment. 


304  TYLErJs    ADMIXI  STRATI  ox. 

The  pleasantest  part  of  my  life  is  when  I  can  shut 
myself  up  here  with  my  precious  baby.  You  ought 
to  see  her,  she  is  too  lovely !  The  greatest  trouble  I 
anticipate  is  paying  visits.  There  was  a  doubt  at 
first  whether  I  must  visit  in  person  or  send  cards ; 
but  I  asked  Mrs.  Madison's  advice  upon  the  subject, 
and  slic  says :  '  Eeturn  all  my  visits  by  all  means/ 
Mrs.  Bache  says  so  too.  So  three  days  in  the  week  I 
am  to  spend  three  hours  a  day  driving  from  one  street 
to  another  in  this  city  of  magnificent  distances.  The 
victim  for  this  sacrifice  is  to  be  adorned  in  a  white 
chip  bonnet,  trimmed  with  moss  rose-buds,  from  Law- 
son's  in  New  York.  I  could  spend  my  time  here 
charmingly  if  it  were  not  for  ^the  duties  of  my  situa- 
tion.' I  do  not  see  nearly  so  much  of  Sophy  Irwin 
and  Mrs.  Bache  as  I  could  wish,  ....  and  I  see  so 
many  great  men,  and  so  constantly,  that  I  cannot 
appreciate  the  blessing !  I  know  you  will  think  I 
ought  to  give  you  my  impressions  of  these  '  intellect- 
ual giants,'  instead  of  talking  of  dresses,  bonnets, 
&c.,  &c.  The  fact  is,  when  you  meet  them  in 
every-day  life,  you  forget  they  are  great  men  at 
all,  and  just  find  them  the  most  charming  com- 
panions in  the  world,  talking  the  most  delightful 
nonsense,  especially  the  almost  awful-looking  Mr. 
Webster,  who  entertains  me  with  the  most  charniing 
gossip.  There  is  one  thing  particularly  gratifying 
to  me :  among  the  many  distinguished  men  I  have 
met,  there  are  but  few  who  do  not  speak  of  having 
known  and  admired  our  dear  father  and  mother. 
Aunt  Louisa's  wit  and  beauty,  too,  are  constantly 
alluded  to."  .... 


DEATH    OF    GENERAL    MACOMB.  oO'O 

"Washington, ,  1841. 

"  Well,  my  first  diplomatique  dinner  is  over — oh  ! 
such  a  long  one  1  Our  first  dinner  in  the  state  din- 
ing-room. I  was  the  only  lady  at  table.  What  with 
the  long  table,  the  flowers,  and  lights,  and  brilliant 
dresses  and  orders  of  the  Dq)s  (not  dip-candles)  the 
various  wines  and  innumerable  courses — I  felt  dread- 
fully confused.  Mr.  Webster  says  I  acquitted  myself 
admirably.  I  tried  to  be  as  cheerful  as  possible,  though 
I  felt  miserable  all  the  time,  as  my  baby  was  crying 
and  I  received  messag^e  after  messas^e  to  come  to  the 

nursery I  think  that  father  is  a  charming 

host — he  received  his  guests  with  so  much  courtesy 
and  simplicity  of  manner — and  I  do  not  think  his 
powers  of  conversation  surpassed  or  even  equalled 
by  the  great  men  around  him.  The  British  minister, 
Mr.  Fox,  is  frightful  to  behold.  He  has  the  reputa- 
tion of  great  ability.  I  will  write  you,  soon,  a  descrip- 
tion of  each  legation."  .... 

The  death  of  General  Macomb  furnished  an  oppor- 
tunity to  abolish  the  office  of  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  army,  then  little  more  than  a  sinecure,  and  the 
duties  of  which  could  be  divided  between  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  and  the  Adjutant  General.  It  was  de- 
sired, too,  to  save  the  President  the  difficulty  of  de- 
ciding between  Generals  Gaines  and  Scott. 

The  difficulty  of  President  Tyler's  position  was 
made  greater  by  the  numberless  promises,  real  and 
pretended,  absolute  and  conditional,  of  General  Har- 
rison, brought  forward  by  the  office-hunters.  Instances 
occurred  of  men  presenting  themselves  with  so-called 
promises,  who  never  had  anything  from  the  good  old 


30G  Tyler's  administration. 

man  but  a  nod  of  the  head.  Others  came  who  were 
totally  unfit  for  the  places  sought.  A  dilapidated, 
worn-out  old  man  from  Cincinnati,  claimed  the  post 
of  first  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  insisting  upon 
the  promise  of  General  Harrison,  and  when  refused, 
went  away  in  a  rage,  and  denounced  the  administra- 
tion. The  course  of  the  President  seemed  to  give 
general  satisfliction.  He  had  done  just  what  was  ex- 
pected from  his  republican  principles  and  associations. 
He  recognized  the  right  of  the  people  to  approach 
him  under  all  circumstances  and  on  every  subject, 
and  gave  to  their  requests  the  most  respectful  consid- 
eration. 

The  immense  rush  for  office  continued  into  the 
summer.  The  city,  too,  was  full  of  beautiful  women, 
representatives  of  every  section  of  country.  The 
east  garden  of  the  capitol,  on  Wednesdays  and  Sat- 
urdays, was  a  charming  spot.  It  had  fine  trees,  w^alks 
and  clumps  of  shrubbery,  with  a  small  lakelet ;  and 
parties  resorted  there  for  conversation  and  flirtation. 
There  might  be  seen  the  Russian  ambassador,  in  some- 
thing of  a  hurry,  though  the  flag  was  still  flying  over 
the  Hall  of  Representatives ;  the  noble  looking  Mad- 
ame Le  Blane,  with  her  young  and  wealthy  rela- 
tive, Mrs.  Hughson,  from  Kentucky,  walking  behind 
her  with  a  large  retinue  of  disinterested  admirers ; 
'-  the  immortal  Harry,"  in  a  straw  hat,  with  a  smile  on 
his  cheek,  and  stopping  to  talk  with  his  acquaintances 
a  minute  at  a  time ;  Mrs.  Calvin,  one  of  the  great  re- 
formers; the  fashionable,  literary  and  scientific  Mr. 
Robertell,  and  many  others. 

When  a  lady  of  the  District  was  at  the  President's 


SCENE    IN    THE    GARDEN.  307 

house,  he  praised  the  prospect  from  the  garden  win- 
dow, observing : 

"  Madam,  I  delight  in  this  window ;  it  gives  me  a 
view  into  Virginia." 

"  Would  it  not  be  well  to  extend  your  view,  sir, 
farther  than  Virginia?" 

"  Madam,"  replied  the  President,  with  a  benignant 
smile,  "my  view  extends  over  the  whole  United 
States." 

And  '-  if  anything  be  an  earnest  of  this" — said  one, 
"  it  is  the  charmingly  republican  system  upon  which 
he  and  his  family  regulate  their  deportment." 

Mrs.  La  Cloche  commanded  much  attention  in  the 
main  alley  of  East  Capitol  garden,  on  one  of  the  mu- 
sic niirhts.  She  was  what  AVashinG-ton  Irving;  called 
"  a  fine,  manly  sort  of  a  woman." 

As  a  gentlemanly-looking  person  passed,  a  young 
officer  exclaimed  ;  "  Why  am  I  like  that  man,  who  is 
little,  while  I  am  large !    W^hy,  T  am  Owen  the  Tailor! " 

At  the  President's  house,  in  July,  the  night  was 
beautiful.  The  wide-spread  plain  was  fringed  with 
carriages  and  spectators ;  the  elevation  before  the  wall 
of  the  W^hite  House  garden  w^as  similarly  crested ; 
and  upon  the  garden  terrace  overlooking  it  stood 
w^ell  dressed  multitudes  of  either  sex.  The  artillery 
wheeled  about,  in  fine  order,  changing  form  and  front 
as  if  by  magic  at  the  bugle's  note ;  firing  first  in  one 
direction,  then  in  another,  with  precision  and  rapidity. 

The  President  sat  in  the  south  portico  of  the  White 
House ;  his  dauo;hter  and  dauofhter-in-law  had  stationed 
themselves  on  an  elevation  in  the  garden;  Miss  Tyler 
with  her  bonnet  off,  blooming  as  Hebe ;  and  both  as 


308  TYLER'S    ADMIXISTRATIOX. 

truly  delighted  -with  the  show  and  the  fine  sunset  and 
the  gentle  evening  breeze,  as  the  passer-by  with  their 
amiable  courtesy. 

The  Fourth  of  July  passed  much  as  usual  every- 
Avhere  ;  squibs  and  pop-guns  and  cracked  bells,  with 
vapid  orations,  stupid  toasts,  and  execrable  speeches ; 
hot  meats  and  cold  wines;  the  customary  laudation 
of  the  nation,  and  the  quantum  of  headaches  that 
follow  unusual  indulgence.  There  was  a  levee  at 
the  AVhite  House,  and  the  Sundav  school  children 
marched  through  the  walks  of  the  capitol  grounds; 
Mr.  Adams  watching  them  with  satisfaction  and  in- 
terest. At  the  Presidential  mansion  there  w\as  a  oom- 
ming^lino;  of  all  the  central  functionaries  with  citizens 
of  every  class ;  the  marine  band  in  the  hall  playing 
appropriate  martial  airs.  The  President  stood  near 
the  entrance  of  the  elliptical  saloon,  supported  by  his 
two  sons,  and  two  subordinate  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment, who  introduced  the  citizens  as  they  entered. 
Farther  on  in  the  room,  the  daughter  and  daug;hter-in- 
law  of  the  President  received  the  compliments  of  the 
visitors.  The  deportment  of  Mr.  Tyler  was  easy  and 
natural,  yet  sufficiently  dignified,  placing  every  one 
at  his  ease.  And  nothing  could  surpass  the  quiet, 
unaffected  grace  with  which  the  ladies  received  and 
acknowledged  the  courtesies  of  all  who  paid  their 
respects.  The  throng,  comprising  beautiful  women, 
grave  senators,  cabinet  and  foreign  ministers,  dashing 
army  and  navy  officers,  office-seekers,  citizens  and 
loungers,  was  great  from  twelve  to  three.  Between 
five  and  six  about  forty  gentlemen  sat  down  to  din- 
ner with  the  President. 


THE    IRISH    PORTER.  309 

The  appointment  of  General  Scott  as  the  new  Com- 
mander-in-chief^ disposed  of  his  claims  to  the  Presi- 
dential succession.  Placed  at  the  head  of  a  bureau 
in  the  war  department,  secluded  from  the  people,  he 
could  hardly  fail  to  subside  from  public  view,  even 
with  the  interest  produced  by  his  recent  meritorious 
services  on  the  frontier. 

After  the  Fourth,  it  was  decided  that  on  Wednes- 
days tlie  marine  band  should  play  at  the  President's 
garden;  on  Saturdays,  as  before,  at  Capitol  Hill.  On 
the  Wednesday,  accordingly,  the  band  placed  them- 
selves under  a  clump  of  trees  on  the  enclosed  green, 
between  the  President's  garden  and  the  war  office. 
The  drive  up  to  the  porch  of  the  White  House  was 
full  of  carriages.  People  were  congregating  under 
the  President's  porch.  Martin  Eanahan,  the  little 
Irish  porter,  was  as  busy  as  if  he  had  been  at  a  shil- 
lelah  frolic  in  Ireland.  When  General  Harrison  came 
to  the  White  House,  it  was  said  that  Eanahan  ad- 
dressed him  with, 

"Plazeyer  honor — they  sny  you're  goin'  to  make  a 
clane  swape.  I'm  the  last  Martin  in  this  nest ;  must 
I  take  wing?" 

"No,  Eanahan.  They  say  'tis  ill  luck  to  drive  the 
house  martins  from  where  they  build.  Stay  where 
you  are." 

Hearing  one  Smith,  a  schoolmaster,  criticising 
speeches  as  not  classical  enough,  Eanahan  reproved 
him  : — "  When  w^as  there  any  good  in  the  name  of 
Smith  !  'Twas  always  an  Orange  name,  even  in  ould 
Ireland,  and  by  St.  Pathrick,  it  has  never  gained  by 
exportation.     Criticise!  I  only  wish  that  Cicero  and 


310  Tyler's  administration". 

Demosthenes,  and  the  whole  list  of  them  dead  an- 
cients had  been  at  the  dinner ;  and  if  they  wouldn't 
have  hid  away  their  heads  it  would  be  only  because 
there  was  no  Irish  modesty  left  in  'em." 

When  the  storm  threatened,  President  Tyler  came 
to  the  door,  and  invited  the  people  to  take  shelter  in 
the  house ;  handing  in  the  little  children  and  ladies, 
and  asking  in  the  gentlemen.  The  sovereign  people 
seemed  to  put  themselves  in  absolute  possession  of 
the  sovereig^n's  habitation.  Some  of  the  ladies  took  off 
their  bonnets  and  were  ensconced  with  their  beaux  in 
the  window  seats.  One  asked  where  was  Miss  Tvler: 
another  where  was  Mrs.  Robert  Tyler,  and  enquiries 
were  made  for  her  baby.  This  lady  was  endeared  to 
her  native  land  b}^  many  claims ;  being  connected  on 
her  mother's  side  with  some  of  the  benefactors  of  the 
republic,  and  on  her  father's  with  the  most  brilliant 
recollections  of  our  fine  arts.  "She  herself  at  one 
time  had  made  a  sacrifice  to  circumstances  and  to 
filial  piety,  equal  in  loftiness  of  motive  to  the  far- 
famed  devotedness  of  the  Grecian  daughter"  by  ap- 
pearing for  a  short  time  on  the  stage. 

In  her  sudden  elevation  she  preserved  the  simplicity 
and  directness  of  her  character,  and  went  through 
her  hospitalities  with  cheerful  good  feeling  and  im- 
partiality. Her  husband,  under  an  unpretending  and 
diffident  exterior,  showed  qualities  of  no  common 
order. 

The  weather  cleared,  and  the  people  departed,  and 
then  the  storm  came  back,  with  thunder,  lightning 
and  rain  that  drenched  the  metropolis. 

On  the  Saturday  the  weather  was  charming ;  car- 


IN    THE    president's    GARDEN.  311 

liagcs,  horsemen  and  couples  steamed  up  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue,  and  through  the  various  western  gar- 
den alleys  on  one  side  ;  and  from  all  the  four  quarters 
of  Capitol  Hill  on  the  other.  John  C.  Calhoun  came 
in  smiling  and  happy  with  Mr.  Charbon  on  his  arm. 
Miss  Black  came  with  a  General  in  a  carriage  awd 
four  ',  John  Quincy  Adams  appeared  with  alert  step 
and  animated  countenance,  conducting  a  young  lady 
whose  society  he  seemed  to  enjoy,  and  she  his ;  for 
who  could  be  insensible  to  the  honor  and  delight  of 
conversino;  with  the  venerable  and  enlio-htened  ex- 
President,  now  pleased  to  be  a  simple  citizen  among 
those  of  whom  a  few  years  since  he  was  more  than 
monarch ! 

The  music  meetings  at  the  President's  garden 
seemed  to  gain  the  victory  in  popularity.  George- 
town and  Alexandria,  the  following  Wednesday,  sent 
their  stores  of  beauty  and  fashion  to  swell  the  crowd 
that  poured  into  the  enclosure  between  the  entrance 
to  the  White  House  and  the  war  office ;  the  green 
once  called  ''the  cow  pasture!"  Nothing  could  be 
seen  but  movimr  belles  and  beaux,  and  starino;  and 
admiring  wonderers.  A  pretty  blonde  was  pointed 
out  as  the  sister  of  Madame  de  Bodisco,  Miss  Williams^ 
from  Georgetown. 

Benches  were  provided  for  the  musicians.  A  fine 
lookinij^  woman  was  noticed  with  the  Postmaster 
General ;  a  widow  of  Baltimore.  In  a  group  on  the 
western  terrace,  without  bonnets,  was  seen  Miss 
Tyler — "the  young  princess,"  as  some  called  her, — a 
good  and  gentle  girl,  with  quick  perceptions,  lively^ 
well-educated  and  well-bred  5  full  of  Virginian  w^armth 


312  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

of  heart,  prepossessing  in  appearance  and  captivating 
in  manners.  Her  affectionate  devotion  to  Mrs.  Robert 
Tyler's  child  was  remarked.  One  lady  saw  her  in  a 
carriage  trying  to  hush  the  baby  while  waiting  for 
the  mother  to  come  out  from  some  place  where  she 
was  calling.  The  child  was  said  to  have  an  extraor- 
dinary sensibility  to  music;  her  blue  eyes  would  di- 
late and  fill  with  fire,  and  her  little  feet  would  flutter 
and  dance  on  hearing  it.  Another  lady,  who  bore  the 
family  name,  the  wufe  of  a  relation,  resided  in  the 
District. 

There  was  a  Senator — one  of  the  lights  of  the  land 
— walking  and  talking  flat  gossip  with  a  young  girl ; 
illustrating  the  remark  that  wisdom  may  be  wrapped 
up  in  trifling.  There  were  also  the  interesting  step- 
daughters of  the  Attorney  General ; — petite  damsels, 
somewhat  below^  the  average  height,  but  taller  than  the 
sprightly  and  lovely  creatures  advancing  under  the  es- 
cort of  William  Cost  Johnson  and  Mr.  Kayner.  Their 
name  was  Bruce.  The  French  ambassador,  a  flne- 
looking  man,  was  conspicuous  ;  and  Mrs.  Bruce,  prom- 
enading with  Mr.  Gushing  of  Massachusetts,  while 
people  thought  he  ought  to  get  a  step  lower  in  the 
alphabet  and  take  a  Mrs.  G.  good-looking  and  agreea- 
ble as  he  w^as,  and  pleasing  in  social  life  as  in  political. 
Butler  King  was  observed,  and  the  commanding  pres- 
ence of  the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  State  was  ac- 
knowledged. 

Mrs.  Daniel  Webster  was  Miss  Garoline  Le  Roy. 
She  w^as  a  native  of  New  York,  and  married  Webster 
in  1820.  They  passed  the  winters  in  Washington ; 
their  summers  at  Marsh  field — their  country-seat  on 


MRS.    DANIEL    WEBSTER.  313 

the  Massachusetts  coast.  Mrs.  Webster  ^vas  a  help- 
meet to  her  husband,  both  in  domestic  and  pubhc 
fiflairs ;  reading  to  and  for  him,  culling  and  arranging 
useful  facts  and  ideas,  and  assisting  him  in  his  ex- 
tensive correspondence.  While  Ive  was  Secretary  of 
State,  she  was  his  efficient  aid,  and  made  his  house 
the  center  of  a  brilliant  society,  drawini;:  around  them 
the  finest  spirits  of  the  century,  and  many  of  high 
repute. 

After  the  music  ended  and  the  company  had  dis- 
persed, the  President  and  his  family  passed  on  to  the 
theater,  where  they  had  promised  to  attend  Miss  Mo- 
nier's  benefit.  She  had  selected  "Money"  for  the 
play,  perhaps  as  a  gentle  hint  to  the  people  that  the 
government  wanted  some  of  that  commodity  !  It  was 
the  first  successful  evening  she  had  had.  The  audi- 
ence welcomed  the  entrance  of  the  Chief  Magistrate 
with  a  burst  of  applause.  Such  a  reception  had  not 
occurred  since  the  fever  of  Jackson's  popularity  was 
at  its  height.  It  was  spontaneous  and  hearty,  and 
was  acknowledged  with  grace  and  dignity. 

On  the  next  Saturday  the  clouds  had  portended  a 
storm ;  but  the  sky  cleared  as  the  fashionables  began 
to  gather  around  Capitol  Hill.  Mrs.  Tyler  and  her 
husband  and  infant  daughter,  and  the  Boz  family  were 
noticed,  and  a  true,  warm-hearted  major  with  his  gentle 
lady,  '•  with  the  w^ell  instructed  head  and  the  Cinde- 
rella foot."  There  were  more  carriages  than  usual ; 
though  the  promenaders  made  no  show  comparable 
with  the  hundreds  who  had  filled  the  President's 
grounds  on  Wednesday.  The  "classical"  party  of 
the  previous  evening  at  the  President's,  was  freely 


314  Tyler's  administration. 

discussed.  Such  "  droppings  "  from  the  candelabras 
and  chandeliers,  visited  by  the  breezes  from  the 
open  windows!  "And  that  gave  the  assembly  such 
a  classical  look !  All  exhibited  signs  of  having  been 
in  Greece  !  Webster's  coat  was  covered."  "  And  how 
did  the  lady  look  who  got  such  a  shower  of  it  upon 
her  adornments  ?" 

"Look?  never  lovelier.  As  Pierre  says  in  Venice 
Preserved:  — 

"  'I  could  have  hugged  the  greasy  rogue;  she  pleased  me.'" 

When  one  young  gentleman  looked  forlorn,  some 
wag  quoted  Shakespeare  to  remind  him  that 

"  The  sovereign'st  thing  on  earth 
AVas  'parmaceti  for  an  inward  bruise." 

The  puns  brought  to  mind  one  by  the  mother  of 
Mrs.  Eobert  Tyler,  a  lady  famed  for  her  w' it.  A  w^ealthy 
tallow-chandler  prated  in  her  presence  of  his  travels 
in  Greece.  After  listening  long  and  patiently,  she 
exclaimed,  "Indeed,  Sir,  you  must  have  found  your- 
self very  much  at  home  there." 

After  this  discomfiture  from  flaring  candles,  it  was 
agreed  that  the  rooms  ought  to  be  lighted  with  gas, 
on  the  new  plan  then  under  experiment  in  front  of 
the  treasury. 

Some  one  mentioned  that  the  French  minister  had 
complained  to  Wise  the  preceding  night,  of  the  new 
duties  suddenly  imposed  on  French  wines  and  silks, 
and  another  spoke  of  having  seen  Mrs.  Wise  there. 
"Then,"  said  a  third,  "you  met  a  woman  of  sterling 
worth,  and  manners  equally  unostentatious  and  win- 
ning."   "There  was  another  conversation  at  the  Presi- 


THE    GEORGETOWN    NUNNERY    ACADEMY.         315 

dent's  party  between  Wise,  Ball,  Granger,  and  others, 
about  the  Florida  war,  ending  in  a  laugh  and  another 
glass  of  champagne  all  round." 

The  south  garden  was  the  next  scene  of  the  musi- 
cal reunion.  The  ground  was  undulating,  varied 
with  tree-topped  knolls,  around  which  the  graveled 
walks  sweep  grace full}^  In  the  distance  the  sun 
silvered  the  broad  Potomac,  and  threw  it  into  pic- 
turesque contrast  with  the  dark  green  of  the  forest- 
covered  amphitheater  of  hills  upon  the  shores  be- 
yond. Glancing  sails  and  steamers  performed  their 
part  in  the  view.  The  marine  band  was  stationed  on 
the  top  of  one  knoll,  surrounded  by  listeners ;  while 
groups  dotted  all  sides  of  the  hill,  and  stood  gossiping 
at  the  base  or  perambulated  all  about  it.  Prome- 
naders  were  passing  through  the  trees  and  cresting 
the  knoll  opposite.  The  President  stood  on  the  por- 
tico with  his  family  some  time,  enjoying  the  view. 

The  talk  was  of  the  exhibition  at  the  Georgetown 
Visitation  Nunnery  Academy.  It  was  a  small  but 
tasteful  exhibition-room.  There  was  a  piano  on  a 
raised  platform,  and  three  harps,  with  music  stands. 
Behind  a  table  sat  two  nuns,  heads  of  the  establish- 
ment ;  at  their  left  Father  Matthew.  The  President 
of  the  United  States  gave  all  the  medals,  prizes  and 
honors.  Next  to  Mr.  Tyler  sat  the  Bishop  of  Mary- 
land ;  behind  them  Father  Ryder  and  others,  and 
several  priests  opposite.  Miss  Tyler  assisted  in  array- 
ing those  pupils  who  received  academic  honors.  Her 
whole  heart  seemed  absorbed  in  the  scene.  When 
any  one  from  Virginia  was  to  receive  an  honor,  she 

blushed  and  appeared  in  a  tremor ;  and  when  a  prize 
20 


316  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATIOX 

was  aimounced  for  some  one  from  Williamsburg,  Vir- 
ginia, she  involuntarily  half  rose  from  her  seat  and 
bent  back  to  catch  the  first  glance  of  her  triumphant 
town-mate  coming  from  below  to  mount  the  platform. 
President  Tyler  invested  a  young  lady  of  Martins- 
burg,  Virginia,  with  the  crown  and  gold  medal  for 
excellence  of  conduct  in  the  senior  circle,  and  the 
other  recipients  were  adorned  by  Miss  Tyler,  whose 
hands  trembled  with  delight. 

"  As  I  quitted  this  garden  scene,"  remarked  a  spec- 
tator, "  it  struck  me  that  two  things  only  could  im- 
prove it — statues  and  fountains." 

The  storm  began  to  threaten,  and  again  the  cour- 
teous President  insisted  on  the  pleasure-seekers 
making  use  of  his  house.  He  was  busier  than  any 
of  his  servants,  finding  places  for  the  ladies  and 
urging  the  bashful  ones  to  come  in.  "Martin,  see 
that  refreshments  are  handed  round,"  was  his  hos- 
pitable order. 

It  w^as  a  grief  to  all  to  hear  that  Mrs.  Robert 
Tyler  was  to  depart  the  next  day ;  and  her  little 
daughter  had  her  voice  in  the  general  regret. 

Some  jokes  were  passed  at  one  of  these  meetings, 
on  the  accident  of  Mr.  "Webster's  horse  having  run 
away  with  him,  kicked  his  buggy  to  pieces  and 
lodged  the  honorable  Secretary  in  the  capitol  yard. 
He  was  walking  down  the  avenue  five  minutes  after- 
wanls,  as  unconcerned  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
General  Scott  and  the  Boz  family  were  at  the  re- 
union, and  the  fascinating  Miss  Chase — "  the  Trojan 
Helen" — with  Mr.  Crittenden  and  an  admired  lady, 
A  by-stand er  observed  that  Mr.  Crittenden  had  filled 


THE  VETO  AND  THE  NEGROES.        317 

a  larger  space  in  the  public  eye  than  any  other  man 
in  the  cabinet  except  Webster,  No  man  in  the 
Senate  had  been  more  conspicuous  or  more  useful. 
^'  His  position  as  the  first  law  officer  under  the  gov- 
ernment ought  to  have  made  him  one  of  the  most 
important  men  in  the  cabinet  on  a  question  like  the 
action  of  the  cabinet  on  the  bank  bill." 

Hugh  Legare  was  pointed  out,  the  accomplished 
scholar,  the  elegant  gentleman,  and  the  experienced 
statesman.  It  was  thought  he  might  be  offered  the 
place  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  certain  contin- 
gencies, Mrs.  Ashley  was  remarked  as  a  magnifi- 
cent creature ;  but  hardly  surpassed  Mrs.  Calvin  as 
she  stood  on  the  edge  of  the  green  terrace.  Two  new 
arrivals  among  the  gentlemen  ^vere  sons  of  the  cele- 
brated Alexander  Hamilton. 

On  one  occasion  v*dien  the  day  was  too  much  over- 
cast for  an  assemblage  on  the  green  in  front  of  the 
portico  of  the  southern  garden,  and  only  a  few  strag- 
glers appeared,  one  of  them  observed  to  the  President 
that  the  weather  had  put  its  veto  upon  the  music,  and 
mentioned  that  when  the  whirlwind  that  morning 
tore  away  part  of  the  market-house,  and  flung  the 
fragments  into  the  air,  exclamations  were  heard  of 
^*  There  it  comes!  stand  clear!  there  comes  the  veto!" 
The  negroes'  comment  was  curious  enough.  "You 
Cesar,  what  dem  niggers  waitin'  dar  for?"  cried  one 
to  another,  as,  at  the  hour  for  the  arrival  of  the  even- 
ing cars,  a  group  of  darkies  were  seen  looking  out 
attentively.  "  Dem  niggers  ?  Dey  be  w^aitin  for  de 
weto.  Massa  Webster,  and  Massa  Bell,  and  Massa 
Badger  and  Ewing,  and  Massa  Granger,  and  ebber  &o 


318  Tyler's  administration". 

many  massas,  all  went  to  'Noplis  dis  mornin'  right 
arly,  to  fetch  him  from  clc  man-ob-war  whar  he  ben 
kept  chained  up." 

^•'Be  he  alive?" 

"  Live — yes — dat  he  be  !  Live  and  peert  enough, 
and  bigger  dan  de  big  alliphant.  Why,  dey  let  him 
out  once  to  try  liiml" 

"My!" 

"Dey  did,  though — and  didn't  like  him;  so  dey 
put  him  up  agin  and  kept  him  fast  ebber  since  aboard 
ship ;  and  now — why,  nigger,  dey  be  pullin  down 
Capitol  wall  to  let  him  through  a  hole  in  de  side , 
cause  dere  be  no  place  for  him  big  enough  and  strong 
enough  only  de  rot-under !  so  iron  gates  is  makin' 
to  fasten  him  in :  and  all  de  people  will  have  to  go 
into  de  two  houses  arter  dis  by  de  two  end  doors,  and 
diQy  can  look  at  de  weto  through  de  new  railings  as 
dey  go ! " 

'-  And  notting  to  pay,  Cassar ! " 

"  Notting.  Massa  Tyler  gibs  de  people  dis  show 
free  gratefish  for  notting,  so  as  to  keep  friend  wid  um 
and  get  um  to  make  him  next  Pressumdit." 

This  confusion  in  Caesar's  mind  of  the  preparations 
for  the  reception  of  Greenough's  statue  of  Washing- 
ton, the  visit  to  the  man-of-war  at  Annapolis,  the  uni- 
versal talk  of  the  veto — the  various  anticipations  of 
the  President's  purposes,  and  the  diverse  constructions 
of  his  motives  in  relation  to  the  veto,  seemed  to  af- 
ford no  unfair  specimen  of  the  political  speculations 
of  many  of  the  poor  black's  superiors. 

The  President's  political  situation  became  a  singu- 
lar one.     He  was  surrounded  by  men  whose  sympa- 


UNINTERRUPTED   SOCIAL   GAYETY.  319 

thies  were  with  those  who  assailed  him  in  the  dead 
of  night,  pouring  out  under  his  windows  insults  and 
threats.  Even  Webster  presided  at  banquets  where 
his  political  friends  drank  damnation  to  Mr.  Tyler. 
The  rank  and  file  of  the  party  claiming  to  support 
him,  burned  him  in  ef^gy,  while  their  leaders  cursed 
him  at  festivals.  He  was  surrounded  by  political 
enemies.  But  the  tide  of  social  gayety  was  not  in- 
terrupted by  such  disagreements.  The  prediction 
that  most  of  the  people  would  keep  away  from  the 
music  at  the  southern  garden,  after  the  awful  veto, 
or  would  come  with  fierce  looks  and  brimful  of 
fight,  w^as  not  verified.  The  music  was  elevated  on 
a  platform  in  the  center  of  the  lawn;  on  the  river 
road  stood  a  vast  collection  of  carriages.  Two  Chero- 
kee damsels  were  seen  walking  with  Governor  Call 
and  Colonel  Pendleton,  the  new  charge  to  Chili.  Mrs. 
Semple,  a  daughter  of  President  Tyler,  and  a  most 
intelligent  and  accomplished  woman,  with  a  noble, 
intellectual  face,  was  chatting  with  Mr.  Butler  King. 
Another  married  daughter — Mrs.  Jones — was  on  a 
visit     Mr.  Tyler  had  all  his  family  about  him. 

The  war  on  the  President  for  refusing  to  give  his 
assent  to  the  creation  of  a  great  national  bank,  con- 
tinued, and  effigy  burnings  and  other  disgraceful 
scenes  were  enacted  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 
There  was  a  story  about  the  President  and  Mr. 
Clay  at  a  party  given  by  Mrs.  Crittenden.  She  was 
doing  the  honors  with  the  perfect  grace  and  dignity 
that  ever  distinguished  her,  and  about  ten  o'clock, 
when  it  was  expected  that  Mr.  Tyler  would  be  rid  of 
his  own  visitors,  Mr.  Dawson  and   six   others   pro- 


320  TYLEPv's    ADMINISTRATION. 

ceeded  to  the  White  House  to  escort  him  to  the 
Attorney-Generars.  On  his  entrance  Mr.  Clay  came 
up,  and,  extending  his  hand,  said,  "  Whisky,  Mr. 
President,  or  champagne?" 

"  Whisky,"  replied  the  President,  and  they  went 
together  to  the  sideboard.  The  politicians  whispered 
that  as  -'veto"  began  with  V  and  whisky  with  a 
letter  beyond  it,  Mr.  Clay  had  triumphed  over  the 
President ;  all  his  measures  would  prevail  and  there 
would  be  no  more  vetoes.  It  was  even  reported  that 
Mr.  Clay  was  heard  to  quote  from  Shakespeare,  while 
drinking  to  the  President's  health :  "  Conscience !  it 
mutinies  in  a  man's  bosom ;  it  fills  one  full  of  obsta- 
cles ;  it  beggars  any  man  that  keeps  it ;  it  is  turned 
out  of  all  towns  and  cities  for  a  dangerous  thing." 
Of  course  no  one  vouched  for  the  truth  of  that  bit 
of  gossip. 

Mrs.  Bell  gave  a  party  in  August,  at  which  there 
were  some  three  hundred  persons.  The  hostess  was 
a  woman  of  fine  presence,  earnest  in  character,  and 
possessing  great  conversational  eloquence.  Miss  Yeat- 
man,  her  daughter,  sparkled  in  diamonds ;  even  her 
brilliant  adornment  setting  her  off  less  than  her  ami- 
able and  unaffected  manners.  Miss  Tyler  was  gentle, 
guileless  and  charming  as  usual ;  and  there  was  a 
tiny  Miss  Bell,  an  infant  a  year  old,  with  whom  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  glided  into  the  room  to  a  merry 
turfce  played  by  the  band. 

Some  gossip  said  Mr.  Clay  introduced  Mrs.  Bell  as 
*•  the  lady  of  the  Secretary  of  War"  to  a  deaf  stranger, 
who,  catching  only  the  phrase  "  the  Secretary  of  War," 
opened  his  eyes  in  extreme  wonderment. 


Mils,    bell's    tarty NEW    YEARS.  321 

Another  said  that  Bailie  Peyton  asked  the  Presi- 
dent where  was  his  old  friend  Wise. 

"  Oh,  he  is  not  invited  to  the  cabinet  parties,"  was 
the  reply.  "  He  is  no  doubt  at  home  now  with  his 
amiable  wife — almost  as  intelligent  and  effective  a 
politician  as  Wise  himself." 

The  company  broke  up  by  twelve.  The  marine 
band  was  stationed  on  the  balcony  terrace  outside, 
and  the  night  was  magnificently  bright. 

The  cabinet  was  broken  up  in  September  by  volun- 
tary resignations.  Mr.  Webster  and  Mr.  Granger 
were  expected  to  remain,  and  it  was  thought  to  be 
the  purpose  of  Mr.  Clay  to  wage  a  war  of  extermina- 
tion aii:ainst  the  President. 

The  last  assemblage  of  the  season  took  place  at  the 
capitol  gardens,  toward  the  end  of  the  extra  session. 

Mrs.  Robert  Tyler  had  spent  some  months  at  her 
father's  house  in  Bristol,  to  which  she  went  in  the 
summer. 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  dated  Janu- 
ary 1st,  1842  : 

"The  first  of  January,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
two,  is  past,  never  to  return ;  and  I  am  nearly  on  the 
point  of  going  off  with  it.  I  never  felt  so  tired  in  all 
my  life  as  I  am  this  evening,  standing  up  for  three 
hours,  and  shaking  hands  with,  I  don't  know  how 
many  thousand  people — such  big  fists  as  some  of  the 
people  had,  and  such  hearty  shakes  as  they  gave  my 
poor  little  hand  too !  One  great  hearty  countryman 
gave  me  a  clutch  and  a  shake  I  almost  expired  under, 
but  I  could  not  help  laughing  when  Fletcher  Webster 
whispered  to  me  ;  '  when  taken  to  be  well  shaken  ! ' 


322  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

"At  half-past  eleven  ^ye  ladies  took  our  station  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  blue  room,  while  father  stood 
in  the  center  (we  being  the  lesser  lights)  to  receive 
the  foreign  ministers  and  the  cabinet,  who  made  their 
appearance  half  an  hour  before  the  crowd.  This  first 
half  hour  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  passed  rapr 
idly  aw^ay.  The  diplomatique  corps  were  all  present 
but  Mr.  Fox,  who  sent  an  apology  pleading  indisposi- 
tion. He  is  a  complete  hat,  only  making  his  appear- 
ance by  candle-light.  The  costumes  of  the  foreign 
ministers  were  very  beautiful,  and  as  each  entered, 
surrounded  by  his  attaches,  the  scene  was  quite  im- 
posing. The  Baron  de  Roenne  is  peculiarly  soldier- 
like and  noble  in  his  appearance ;  and  there  is  a 
simplicity  and  quietude  in  his  whole  bearing  and 
conversation,  that  to  me  is  peculiarly  agreeable.  Mr. 
Bodisco  and  his  beautiful  wife  came  later  than  the 
rest.  She  is  rather  on  the  milk-maid  order  of  beauty. 
I  can  imagine  her  dropping  a  curtsy  like  the  maid 
in  the  song,  with  '  my  face  is  my  fortune,  sir,  she  said,' 
and  her  face  really  has  been  her  fortune  as  regards 
a  fine  house,  fine  carriage,  and  fine  clothes ;  and  a 
fine  husband,  too,  for  the  matter  of  that,  for  nothing 
could  be  finer  than  Mr.  Bodisco's  uniform.  It  is  per- 
fectly dazzling  in  its  magnificence,  his  whole  breast 
glistening  with  orders. 

"At  twelve  o'clock  the  crowd  rushed  in, — men, 
women,  and  children, — a  very  orderly  crowd  though, 
and  nicely  dressed.  A  little  after  the  first  rush  of  the 
*  sovereign  people,'  came  the  ladies,  and  their  respect- 
ive escorts.  I  cannot  say  who  I  thought  the  prettiest 
woman — perhaps  it  was  Mrs.  Potts,  Mr.  Rose's  sister ; 


Ipublic  librar^ 

ASTO;^.   LENOX 


JoB(a)BIKii^^ii^   ir:/iLii^i! 


h.iP.'I-lT 


A   NEW   PRACTICE    IN   VISITS.  325 

she  is  very  lovely -looking.  Of  course  Mr.  Calhoun 
and  Mr.  Webster  were  the  most  distino-uished  looking: 
men.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  more  abstracted  in  ladies'  soci- 
ety than  Mr.  Webster.  Although  Mr.  Webster  looks 
so  overwhelmingly  sensible,  he  can  talk  the  most 
agreeable  nonsense  possible.  I  do  like  hiui  very 
much.  '  In  virtue  of  my  office  '  he  always  leads  me 
in  to  dinner — and  often  informs  my  ignorance  of  the 
nicest  entremets  to  eat,  the  nicest  wines  to  drhik,  &c., 
&c.  Then  he  tells  me  charming  anecdotes  about  his 
visits  to  the  great  houses  in  England,  just  the  gos- 
siping things  a  woman  loves  to  hear."  .... 

In  January,  1842,  a  new  practice  was  adopted  in 
reference  to  social  visits  at  the  executive  mansion. 
Since  Mr.  Tvler's  accession  the  drawino:-room  had  been 
open  every  evening  for  the  reception  of  acquaintances 
and  persons  having  the  privilege ;  it  was  now  deter- 
mined to  receive  visitors  only  on  Thursday  and  Satur- 
day evenings.  The  new  year  inaugurated  a  gay  sea- 
son in  the  court  circles.  The  most  brilliant  entertain- 
ment was  given  by  Madame  de  Bodisco,  and  the  rank, 
talent,  fashion  and  beauty  of  the  capital  were  invited. 
Eumor  announced  the  approaching  marriage  of  Miss 
Tyler  with  Mr.  Waller,  a  young  lawyer  of  Richmond  ; 
and  engagements  and  marriages  formed  the  subject 
of  general  conversation.  The  new  Attorney-General 
Mr.  Legare,  was  said  to  be  on  the  eve  of  abandoning 
his  fortress  to  gentle  hands. 

Mrs.  Tyler  wrote  in  January  1842  : — 

.  ..."  I  very  seldom  go  to  parties,  but,  of  course, 
could  not  refuse  Madame  Bodisco's  invitation.  Her 
ball  was  expected  to  be  the  grand  aifair  of  the  sea- 


326  ttler's  administration. 

son.  I  confess  myself  disappointed  :  the  crowd  was 
so  dense  that  one  could  not  appreciate  either  the 
arranfrement  of  the  rooms  or  the  dress  of  the  ladies, 
although  they  were  all  ^  en  grand  toilette!  The  Baron 
de  Bodisco  is  a  very  attentive  host,  almost  too  much 
so.  He  led  me  in  to  supper,  and  asked  me  how  my 
^  Empress  of  a  baby '  was.  I  suppose  he  thought  of  his 
own  little  Emperor  ^Nicholas,'  who,  aged  eight  months, 
was  up  at  two  o'clock  at  night,  carried  through  the 
rooms  dressed  in  blue  silk  and  w^iite  muslin.  The 
fact  is,  I  suspect  the  poor  little  fellow  had  no  bed  to 
go  to,  for  the  whole  house  was  thrown  open,  even  to 
Madame  de  Bodisco's  bed-room.  The  bed  was  covered 
with  a  magnificent  green  satin  coverlet,  pillow-cases 
to  match.  Madame  de  Bodisco  looked  lovely,  and 
was  magnificently  attired  in  pink  satin  with  lace 
flounces,  and  such  splendid  diamonds — stomacher, 
ear-rings,  breast-pin,  bracelets !      I   never   saw  such 

beautiful  diamonds " 

" 1842. — I  went  to  the  Assembly  last  night, 

matronizing  five  young  ladies — all  dressed  in  rose- 
color — all  so  lovely  too  !  Clementina  Pleasantan  and 
Belle  Stevenson  the  prettiest  of  all.  Belle  has  the 
most  perfect  face  and  figure  I  ever  saw,  but  Miss 
Pleasantan  has  a  style  and  je  ne  sais  qiioi  about  her 
that  makes  her  the  more  attractive  of  the  two.  The 
ball  w\as  a  brilliant  one,  admirably  lighted  and  not 
crowded ;  the  ladies  all  w^ell  dressed  and  showing  to 
advantage.  I  spent  a  delightful  evening.  As  I  de- 
clined dancing,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  talking  to  many 
grave  Senators,  and,  among  the  rest,  had  a  long  con- 
versation with  Mr.  Southard.     As  we  stood  at  the  end 


LOUD    MORPETH    AT    DINNER.  327 

of  the  room — which  is  the  old  theater  transformed 
into  a  ball-room — he  said  :  ^  On  this  very  spot  Avhere 
we  stand,  I  saw  the  best  acting  that  I  ever  witnessed. 
I  came  in  the  theater  and  took  my  seat  by  John 
Quincy  Adams — and  there  were  never  two  more  de- 
lighted people.  He  said  he  had  seen  the  same  play 
abroad — in  France  and  England — he  had  seen  John 
Kemble  and  the  great  Talma  in  the  part ;  Kean, 
Cooke  and  Macready  ;  but  he  had  never  seen  it  so  ad- 
mirably acted  as  then.  I  entirely  agreed  with  him 
in  his  admiration,  though  I  was  not  so  capable  of 
judging  by  comparison  as  he.'  Mr.  Southard  here 
paused.  Though  my  heart  told  me  to  whom  he  al- 
luded, I  could  not  help  asking  him  :  '  What  was  the 
play  and  who  the  actor?'  'The  play  was  Macbeth, 
the  performer  Mr.  Cooper.'  I  could  not  restrain  the 
tears  which  sprung  to  my  eyes  as  I  heard  my  dear 
father  so  enthusiastically  spoken  of  I  looked  around 
too,  and  thought  that  not  only  had  papa's  footsteps 
trod  those  boards.  I  looked  down  at  the  velvet  dress 
of  Mrs.  Tyler,  and  thought  of  the  one  I  wore  there, 
six  years  before,  as  Lady  Randolph !  when  we  strug- 
gled through  a  miserable  engagement  of  a  few  rainy 
nights!!!"     .... 

"January  28,  1842, — I  am  afraid  you  poor  Ala- 
bamian  plebeians  will  expire  with  envy  when  I  tell 
•you  that  a  real  live  English  Lord  was  among  the 
guests  at  the  President's  house  last  week ;  Lord  Mor- 
peth now.  Earl  of  Carlyle  that  is  to  be,  with  the 
blood  of  all  the  Howards  coursing  through  his  no- 
ble veins !  Yes,  he  dined  here !  and  had  the  honor 
of  handinir  me  in  to  dinner  and  sat  next  me  for  three 


328  Tyler's  administration'. 

Iiours !  I  can't  tell  you  what  we  talked  about ;  I  don't 
think  either  of  us  made  a  remark  worth  remember- 
ing. He  attacked  our  '  Americanisms '  (as  most  Eng- 
lishmen do)  especially  the  use  of  the  word  Movely' 
when  applied  to  amiable  women  even  if  they  were 
shockingly  ugly.  I  contended  it  was  not  used  by 
well-bred  Americans,  whereas  'nice  person'  in  Eng- 
land covered  every  degree  of  excellence  in  mind  and 
body,  and  was  used  by  every  one.  He  laughed,  and 
could  not  contradict  me.  He  is  not  handsome,  tout 
an  contraire !  not  distingue-looking ;  his  face  is  red, 
his  hair  is  light,  his  manner  awkward !  Indeed,  instead 
of  that '  composure  of  aristocracy '  which  I  anticipated 
in  a  scion  of  one  of  the  noblest  English  houses,  I  found 
even  a  very  fidgety  manner.  He  seemed  very  ami- 
able and  unaffected  though,  and  I  felt  entirely  at  my 
ease  talking  nonsense  to  him."  .... 

"January. — Lizzie  Tyler  was  married  last  night. 
She  looked  beautiful  in  her  bridal  dress  and  flowers, 
blonde  veil,  &c.  The  wedding  was  a  \Qvy  quiet  one. 
The  members  of  the  cabinet,  Mrs.  Madison,  Mrs.  Bache, 
Mrs.  Wise,  and  Mrs.  Commodore  Warrington  formed 
the  party,  besides  all  the  relations  and  friends  from 
Virginia.  The  whole  house  was  thrown  open,  though, 
the  next  night,  and  a  most  brilliant  reception  took 
place.     I  was  too  unwell  to  be  present."  .... 

The  daughters  of  the  late  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury had  added  to  the  list  of  vanquished  among 
beaux;  and  the  witty  daughter  of  Mr.  Granger  had 
commenced  a  severe  and  dangerous  cannonade.  A 
bevy  of  widows  and  maidens  were  assembled  nightly 
at  Mrs.  Peyton's  and  Miss  Polk's;  where  also  shone 


JUDGES  OF  THE  SUPRE^tE  COURT.      S29 

the  still  celebrated  Mrs.  Florida  White,  enchanting 
the  crowds  allured  by  her  loveliness.  Lord  Morpeth, 
it  seems,  excited  but  little  curiosity.  "  A  nobleman 
to  make  a  sensation  in  Washington  must  be  both 
yoimg  and  handsome." 

The  Supreme  Court  was  a  popular  and  instructive 
place  of  resort  to  strangers.  The  nine  judges  in  their 
robes  of  office,  presented  a  very  imposing  appearance, 
apart  from  the  associations  connected  w^ith  the  most 
exalted  legal  tribunal  of  the  land.  In  the  center  sat 
Chief  Justice  Taney,  a  tall,  spare  man,  with  a  strik- 
ingly intellectual  countenance ;  a  jurist  of  profound 
acquirements,  large  experience,  endowments  of  the 
highest  order,  great  independence  of  character,  and 
of  integrity  unquestioned.  On  his  right  was  Judge 
Story  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  inclined  to  democ- 
racy when  young,  but  association  with  Judge  Mar- 
shall and  other  great  men  of  the  court,  soon  made 
him  federal  enough  for  all  the  purposes  contemplated 
in  the  organization  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

On  the  left  of  the  Chief  Justice  might  be  seen 
Justice  Thompson  of  New  York,  thin  and  spare  almost 
to  emaciation,  of  great  acumen,  strictly  legal  in  all  his 
tastes  and  pursuits,  of  quick  apprehension,  skillful  in 
weighing  the  arguments  of  counsel  wdth  unsurpassed 
powers  of  discrimination,  analysis  and  generalization. 
Judge  Thompson  was  a  bright  ornament  of  the  illus- 
trious tribunal  wdiose  decisions  contributed  so  much 
to  give  stability  to  the  government  by  its  luminous 
expositions  of  the  constitution. 

Next  to  Judge  Story  might  be  seen  Judge  McLean 
of  Ohio,  once  Postmaster-General.     He  was  a  stately 


330  Tyler's  administration. 

and  fine-looking  man,  with  clear  head  and  strong  mind. 
Judge  Baldwin  was  near  Judge  Thompson.  Probably 
no  man  had  a  more  logical  mind,  understood  a  subject 
more  thorouglily,  or  mastered  it  with  greater  facility. 
He  had  been  a  distinguished  member  of  Congress. 

Judge  Wayne  of  Georgia  Avas  the  handsomest  man 
on  the  bench.  Near  him  w^as  Judge  McKinley  of 
Alabama,  a  plain,  unpretending,  quiet  gentleman, 
whose  thoughts  w^ere  sound  and  sensible.  There 
remained  Judge  Catron  of  Tennessee,  and  Judge 
Daniel  of  Virginia. 

The  most  distinguished  legal  abilities  in  the  land 
were  daily  engaged  in  this  court,  Mr.  Legare,  the 
Attorney-General,  made  his  debut  at  this  time.  He 
w^as  a  lawyer  of  eminence,  as  well  as  a  scholar  of  ex- 
tensive and  varied  acquirements.  His  information 
seemed  to  be  affluent  on  every  subject ;  his  address 
was  always  dignified  and  gentlemanly.  The  observa-' 
tion  of  genius  enriched  his  mind  with  illustrations. 
The  fruits  of  the  diligent  reading  of  years,  the  experi- 
ence of  life,  office  and  society,  were  at  his  command. 
His  taste  w^as  cultivated  and  his  fluency  was  extraor- 
dinary. The  day  he  made  his  first  argument  as  Attor- 
ney-General, there  were  four  Attorney-Generals  in  the 
room ;  Mr.  Burien,  Judge  Taney,  Mr.  Gilpin  and  Mr. 
Crittenden.  This  highly  accomplished  and  learned 
gentleman  w-as  accustomed  to  confess  himself  a  vain 
man ;  and  he  insisted  that  all  persons  of  genius  were 
noted  for  vanity.  He  was  very  fond  of  ladies'  society, 
and  was  w^ell  fitted  to  please  them,  in  spite  of  a  slight 
personal  deformity,  perceptible  when  he  was  standing, 
that  impaired  the  dignity  of  his  appearance.     South 


EMINENT    LAWYERS.  331 

Carolina  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  him.  He  had  a 
sister,  distinguished  as  a  painter,  who  after  her  mar- 
riage went  to  reside  in  the  West. 

Among  the  lawyers  prominent  at  this  period  in 
Washington,  were  David  R.  Ogden,  Daniel  Lord,  Jr., 
Mr.  Wood  of  Newark,  Mr.  Wilde  of  Georgia,  and  Gen- 
eral Wall,  the  late  senator  from  New  Jersey. 

Some  prominent  men  in  society  belonged  to  Phila- 
delphia. Joseph  R  Ingersoll,  the  son  of  Jared  Inger- 
soll,  was  esteemed  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  at  the 
bar.  He  and  his  brother,  Charles  Jared  Ingersoll, 
married  sisters,  the  daughters  of  John  Wilcocks. 
Nicholas  Biddle  had  married  the  dauo-hter  of  John 
Craig,  and  received  a  large  fortune  with  her.  Joseph 
R  Chandler  was  the  publisher  and  editor  of  the 
"  United  States  Gazette."  William  Bayard  Reed  was 
the  son  of  Joseph  Reed,  and  grandson  of  the  distin- 
guished Joseph  Reed,  who  was  president  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  before  its 
organization  as  a  State.  It  was  he  who  made  the 
declaration  in  answer  to  a  royal  proposition :  "  I  am 
not  worth  purchasing  ;  but,  such  as  I  am,  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it." 

Mr.  Webster  gave  a  ball  and  supper  in  honor  of 
Lord  Morpeth,  to  which  the  whole  town  was  invited. 
A  great  social  party  was  given  by  the  congressional 
"mess"  boarding  at  Kennedy's  in  the  avenue,  at 
which  the  amusing  incident  was  reported  of  Mr. 
Buchanan,  the  grave  Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  and 
Mr.  Crittenden,  figuring  in  the  same  quadrille.  To 
those  who  had  seen  them  in  an  argumentative  contest 
on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  this  saltatory  one  must 


332  Tyler's  administration. 

have  been  very  comical.  Members  from  the  various 
sections  of  the  Union,  intending  to  domesticate  with 
their  families  for  a  session,  arranged  what  was  styled 
a  "mess."  These  were  generally  formed  of  persons 
professing  the  same  politics,  having  an  identity  of  in- 
terest, associations,  feelings,  &c-  Sometimes  friends 
not  in  Congress  were  admitted  into  these  coteries. 
Few  congressionals  having  the  means  or  inclination 
to  form  permanent  establishments  of  their  own,  these 
mess  parties  were  frequently  resorted  to,  to  recipro- 
cate the  hospitalities  of  the  stationary  society.  The 
mess  at  Mrs.  Kennedy's  was  composed  of  old  and 
young.  Since  the  opening  of  the  season  at  M.  de 
Bodisco's,  nothing  comparable  in  comfort  and  elegance 
had  been  exhibited,  without,  however,  any  parade  of 
illumination  or  tinsel  livery.  Mrs.  Linn  of  Missouri, 
and  Mrs.  Gaines,  the  distinguished  wife  of  the  General, 
presided  as  matrons  at  the  ceremonial.  Mr.  Buchanan 
led  in  a  graceful,  brilliant  woman,  bewitching  with 
her  arch  expression  and  the  turn  of  her  head.  Some 
thought  they  might  be  discussing  Clay's  amendment 
to  the  constitution;  others,  that  the  best  she  could 
propose  would  be  an  amendment  to  the  gallant  Penn- 
sylvanian's  confirmed  bachelorship.  "The  King  of 
Alabama "  drew  near  them.  Buchanan  and  King 
were  called  "the  Siamese  twins;"  they  ate,  drank, 
voted  and  visited  together.  Then  came  up  Tom 
Allen,  late  of  the  Madisonian,  with  the  wealthy  lady 
whom  he  married  afterwards,  Miss  Kussell  from  Mis- 
souri ;  a  neat,  plump,  pretty  little  creature,  Avearing  a 
tiara  and  necklace  of  diamonds.  The  belle  of  Wash- 
ington, Miss  Dawson  of  Louisiana,  dazzled  all  around 


THE  "mess"  party.  333 

her  like  a  fairy  vision.  There  was  no  rush  of  admi- 
ration ;  all  paid  their  homage  in  silence  to  her  inno- 
cent and  beaming  loveliness.  Almost  the  entire 
beau  monde  was  present.  A  celebrated  widow  was 
seen  leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  Fabrician  General. 
She  was  pronounced  like  Josephine  in  stature,  ele- 
gance and  perfect  finish.  Her  stately  pride  was  blent 
with  winning  grace ;  she  had  the  majesty  of  Juno 
with  the  simple  naivete  of  childhood.  Senators,  cabi- 
net and  members  acknowledged  her  intellect,  wit  and 
genius.  Around  her  stood  Tallmadge,  White,  Evans, 
Linn,  and  a  host  of  admirers.  Whenever  she  went 
to  a  party,  which  was  seldom,  for  she  wore  deep 
mourning,  the  talent  of  the  assemblage  seemed  clus- 
tered in  a  knot  which  she  commanded  for  the  evening. 
This  extraordinary  woman  was  loved  and  esteemed 
by  all  and  envied  by  none ;  her  beauty  being  praised 
even  by  rivals,  and  her  tact  and  judgment  securing 
her  unenvied  supremacy.  Her  life  had  been  one  of 
vicissitude  and  trial  Not  far  distant  was  "the  lazy 
and  eloquent  Carolinian" — William  C.  Preston,  with 
his  wife,  one  of  the  most  delicate  and  polished  of 
women,  with  a  rippling  voice,  and  tender  clinging  air 
of  dependence  on  her  "liege  lord."  Mrs.  Gaines  bore 
her  part  with  a  kind  wish  to  gratify  all,  and  the  en- 
thusiasm of  a  noble  and  generous  heart. 

A  story  was  told  of  the  appearance  of  a  new  face 
at  the  President's  table,  whom  Mr.  Tyler  asked  to 
take  wine  with  him,  but  who  preferred  brandy  and 
water.  The  stranger  was  discovered  to  be  a  sturdy 
butcher  from  Wilmington,  Delaware,  who  had  pre- 
sented a  noble  sirloin  of  beef,  and  the  finest  mutton 
21 


334  Tyler's  administration. 

in  the  Avorld,  to  the  Chief  Magistrate,  and  had  been 
honored  with  an  invitation.  On  his  departure  he 
shook  the  President  heartily  by  the  hand,  exclaiming, 
"Sir,  I've  lieard  of  republican  Presidents,  but  I  never 
saw  one  till  I  saw  John  Tyler.  You've  made  m.e  feel 
as  if  I  was  in  my  own  house;  and  when  I  get  back  to 
Delaware  I  shall  tell  my  neighbors  that  I,  a  plain  man 
of  the  people,  have  been  received  by  the  Chief  Mag- 
istrate in  the  house  provided  by  the  people,  with  as 
much  hospitality  and  kindness  as  if  I  had  been  the 
most  distinguished  man  in  the  country."  This  feeling 
of  the  butcher  was  a  prevailing  one  among  the  mid- 
dle classes. 

The  last  Presidential  levee  of  the  season  was 
crowded  and  unusually  brilliant.  "  Clay  Whigs  and 
Van  Buren  Locofocos,  and  Tyler  Americans "  were 
whirled  tos^ether  in  the  throno;.  A  new  arrano-ement 
was  the  announcement  of  each  visitor's  name  on  en- 
tering ;  and  many  a  laugh  was  raised  at  the  mistakes. 
One  gentleman  found  himself  suddenly  dignified  with 
the  handle  of"  Honorable;"  a  foreign  minister  or  two 
was  transferred  from  his  own  court  to  another;  and 
maidens  and  bachelors  found  themselves  unexpect- 
edly coupled  and  given  to  each  other.  Mrs.  Van 
Ness,  with  her  husband,  the  late  ambassador  to  Spain, 
was  very  much  admired.  The  President  gave  an  un- 
ostentatious, but  elegant  dinner-party  on  the  anniver- 
sary of  his  first  official  introduction  to  Washington. 
The  members  of  the  cabinet  and  their  wives  w^ere 
present,  with  ex-President  Adams  and  the  nearest 
connections  of  two  other  ex-Presidents,  and  one  or 
two  foreiirn  ambassadors:  also  Mrs.  Madison  and  the 


DICKENS    AT    THE    WHITE    HOUSE.  335 

daughter  of  Mr.  Monroe,  Mrs.  Gouverneurj  and  Mad- 
ame de  Bodisco  with  her  husband. 

It  had  been  wisely  determined  to  give  Mr.  Charles 
Dickens,  on  his  arrival,  a  plain  reception,  and  commit 
no  remarkable  act  of  folly.  Mrs.  Tyler  wrote  in 
March,  1842: — "I  cannot  tell  you  anything  about 
Boz  that  you  have  not  seen  in  the  papers.  I  was  de- 
termined I  would  see  him  when  he  came,  and  I  did, 
in  spite  of  my  orders  to  remain  in  my  room  for  the 
next  two  months.  I  have  seen  him  twice ;  once  in 
the  morning  when  I  had  him  "all  to  myself,"  and  then 
accain  at  the  levee  in  the  eveninp- *  He  is  not  at  all 
romantic  looking,  rather  thick  set ;  his  face  of  course 
most  intellin;ent  and  bridit — but  his  dress  does  not 
suit  me ;  he  wears  rather  too  much  jewelry,  and  is 
thoroughly  English  in  his  appearance,  and  not  the 
best  English.     At  the  levee  he  was  accompanied  by 

*  The  correspondent  of  the  "  New  York  Herald  "  gave  the  folloAving  account : 

"  It  was  intended  that  the  levees  should  close  at  the  accustomed  time ;  but, 
probably,  the  nearly  simultaneous  arrival  of  the  two  great  literary  lions,  Wash- 
ington Irving  and  Boz,  at  our  national  menagerie,  may  have  caused  a  new 
arrangement.  Tuesday,  the  15th,  happening  to  offer  the  only  evening  not  pre- 
occupied at  the  White  House,  it  was  tliought  expedient  to  give  the  numerous 
strangers  in  town  another  treat,  and  as  a  part  of  it,  the  opportunity  of  seeing 
Irving  and  Dickens,  and  of  seeing  too,  that  the  President  is  incapable  of 
being  behind  the  people  in  due  honors  to  genius. 

'•  When  it  was  understood  that  there  would  be  a  levee,  and  that  Irving  and 
Dickens  would  both  be  there,  the  rush  was  tremendous.  It  was  as  much  as 
tlie  police  officers  could  do  to  keep  the  passages  open.  Even  the  circle  usually 
left  open  around  the  Chief  Magistrate  Avas  narrowed  to  almost  nothing  by  the 
pressure.  It  was  computed  that  the  east  room  alone  contained  upwards  of 
three  thousand  persons. 

"  There  was  one  point  of  interest.  Washington  Irving  and  the  lady  who 
presided  on  this  occasion  with  surpassing  courteousness  and  grace — Mrs. 
Robert  Tyler.  Irving,  now  grown  '  more  fat  than  bard  beseems,'  is  yet  still 
distinguished  by  that  glow  of  genius,  and  humor  in  his  eye,  and  smile  and 
utterance  wliicli  made  him  the  adored  of  the  New  York  world  of  fashion. 
Washington   Irving  is  at  the  executive    mansion,  not  now  as  Washington 


66b  TYLER  S    ADMINISTRATION. 

his  wife,  quite  a  sweet-looking  plump  woman,  taste- 
fully dressed  though,  and  more  English  looking  than 
Boz  himself  Poor  fellow !  He  seemed  horribly 
bored  by  the  crowd  passing  round  him.  What  think 
you  ?  He  and  Washington  Irving  were  both  speaking 
to  me  at  the  same  time  !  I  am  charmed  with  Wash- 
incrton  Irvino;.  He  took  me  in  to  the  dinner  which 
fiither  gave  him,  and  he  talked  to  me  of  mamma  all 
the  time,  telling  me  a  great  many  anecdotes  of  grand- 
ma's house  and  surroundino-s  in  old  times The 

more  distinguished  well-bred  and  sensible  people  are, 
the  more  perfectly  unembarrassed  and  at  home  I  feel 
with  them.  Query:  Does  this  emanate  from  their 
good  breeding  and  intellect,  or,  from  my  own  superior 
nature  finding  its  affinity  in  these  sort  of  people  ? 
Que  pensez  vous  ?" 

Irving,  but  as  tlie  Ambassador  to  Spain.  Who  is  that  lady  receiving  such 
liomage  from  tlie  new  Ambassador'?  She  is  a  player's  daughter — but  she  is 
a  President's  daughter — and  she  is  Avelcoming,  from  her  elevation,  in  her 
mother's  friend  of  by -gone  years,  the  Ambassador  newly  created  by  her  father. 
"I  ask — ouglit  there  not  to  be  almost  as  much  interest  for  an  American  in 
these  associations,  as  in  the  presence  of  Boz  ?  Yet  nothing  could  surpass  the 
curiosity  to  see  the  great  author  from  England.  '  Where  is  he  ?  How  does 
he  look  } '  Such  were  the  questions  on  every  side.  A  few  had  seen  him — 
and,  not  a  fcw  Avere  seeking  to  see  him,  and  seeking  in  vain.  'Why  don't 
they  set  him  on  a  tray,  and  carry  him  over  their  heads?'  cried  some.  Others, 
being  told  he  was  a  short  man,  and  was  in  a  dense  throng,  grouped  at  a  distance, 
jumped  up  and  down,  hoping,  while  up,  to  catcli  a  glimpse,  but  all  to  no  pur- 
pose. Boz  retired  after  an  hour's  exhibition,  bequeathing  all  the  unused 
literary  enthusiasm  to  be  poured  on  Washingto-n  Irving." 


XII. 

TYLER'S   ADMINISTEATIOX. 

Clay's  Adieu  to  the  Senate — Lord  Ashburton's  Arrival — Men  prominent 
in  the  Court  Circle — Mrs.  Robert  Tyler's  Letter  after  the  Death  of 
her  Mother-in-Law — Seven  Thousand  at  the  New  Year's  Levee,  1843 
— Webster's  Reception — Receptions  of  Mr.  Adams  and  Mrs.  Tayloe 
— Mrs.  Tyler's  amusing  Description  of  her  Party  and  Supper  given 
to  Marshal  Bertrand — a  Juvenile  Fancy  Ball  at  the  White  House — 
"  The  Washington  Assemblies  "  organized — Ladies  most  admired — 
The  new  British  Minister — Old  Bull — Receptions  by  the  Secretaries 
— Mrs.  (jrouverneur's  splendid  Party — Self-styled  Leaders  who  were 
Parvenues — Brilliant  Entertainments — General  McDuffie — Captain 
Stockton — Madame  Pageot's  Party,  and  Disappointment  of  the  Ex- 
pectations of  a  Parisian  Supper — The  Excursion  on  board  "the 
Princeton  " — Terrible  Catastrophe — ]\lrs.  Madison's  Party  in  May — 
The  Marriage  of  President  Tyler  to  Miss  Gardiner — Memoir  of  the 
Bride — Mr.  Pakenham's  Entertainment — The  new  President  elect — 
Grand  Ball  given  by  Mrs.  John  Tyler — Colonel  and  Mrs.  Tuley  of 
Virginia. 

TnE  last  day  of  Mr.  Clay's  political  existence  was 
marked  by  his  adieu  to  the  Senate,  after  which  he 
was  to  return  to  his  home  in  Kentucky.  So  elevated 
had  been  his  position,  so  decided  his  political  course, 
and  so  marked  the  points  in  his  character,  that  for 
more  than  thirty  years  almost  every  man  in  the 
country  had  been  his  devoted  friend  or  his  bitter 
enemy.  His  place  in  the  Senate  was  immediately 
filled  by  Mr.  Crittenden.  Mr.  Clay's  valedictory 
was  listened  to  by  a  dense  crowd  of  citizens  and  la- 


338  Tyler's  administration. 

dies.  Mr.  Callioun  came  to  him  when  it  was  con- 
chided,  and  bade  him  an  affectionate  farewell. 

Lord  Ashburton,  the  new  British  minister,  came 
early  in  April.  He  was  nearly  six  feet  in  height — 
a  stout  man,  pale,  but  active  in  movement,  with  a 
mild  and  pleasing  expression  of  countenance.  He 
immediately  proceeded  to  a  house  hired  and  pre- 
pared for  him  on  President  Square,  near  Mr.  Web- 
ster's. Three  secretaries  and  five  servants  comprised 
his  retinue.  A  splendid  dinner  was  in  waiting  for 
him.  The  age  of  his  lordship  was  sixtj'-five ;  but  he 
was  a  finer  looking  man  than  Lord  Morpeth.  Ac- 
cording to  the  etiquette  between  minister  and  ambas- 
sador, he  was  to  call  on  the  morrow  upon  Mr.  Fox, 
who  would  present  him  to  the  Secretary  of  State. 
It  was  not  supposed  that  Mr.  Fox  was  to  be  sus- 
pended. The  warm  spring  weather  brought  on  re- 
newed gayeties.  The  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
held  her  levee  on  Tuesdays,  the  visiting-day  of  the 
week  for  the  families  of  the  cabinet.  A  grand  dinner 
and  a  ball  were  in  prospect,  to  honor  the  great  retir- 
ing orator,  Mr.  Clay.  The  fashionables  expected  some 
agreeable  entertainments  from  Lord  Ashburton.  This 
nobleman  came  charged  with  full  powers  to  settle, 
among  other  points,  the  boundary  question  on  a  prin- 
ciple of  compromise.  He  brought  his  o^Yn  carriage 
and  horses  and  a  great  quantity  of  luggage ;  it  was 
therefore  supposed  he  intended  a  long  residence. 

Horace  Everett,  of  Vermont,  a  whig,  one  of  the 
fathers  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  entered  Con- 
gress in  1829,  and  for  twelve  years  had  been  one  of 
the  most  assiduous  members.     He   was  then  about 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  339 

fifty,  of  medium  height,  retiring  in  manners,  and  en- 
joyed the  confidence  of  all  his  constituents.  Dixon 
H.  Lewis,  a  democrat,  was  the  largest  man  in  the 
House  of  Representatives,  and  weighed  over  four  hun- 
dred pounds.  He  had  first  taken  his  scat  in  1829. 
He  was  a  good  speaker,  and  very  popular.  At  this 
time  he  was  about  forty.  Thomas  Hart  Benton,  of 
Missouri,  w^as  democratic.  He  had  been  a  member 
of  the  Senate  since  1821,  and  was  the  oldest  in  ser- 
vice in  that  body  after  Mr.  King.  He  was  character- 
ized as  the  most  indefatigable  and  persevering  of  men 
in  any  matter  he  undertook.  "  Solitary  and  alone,  I 
put  this  ball  in  motion,"  was  the  opening  of  his  speech 
on  the  famous  expunging  resolution,  which  he  carried 
throusrh  after  a  stru(>:fyle  of  several  sessions.  In  de- 
bate  he  was  clear  and  forcible,  always  armed  with  sta- 
tistics and  dates,  but  stormy  and  overbearing;  and  in 
a  passion  he  became  furious.  In  figure  he  was  portly 
and  robust,  and  when  wrapped  in  his  Spanish  cloak, 
he  stepped  with  the  air  of  a  tribune.  Kind  and  af- 
fectionate in  the  domestic  circle,  he  educated  his  own 
children  till  after  a  certain  age.  At  this  time  he  w-as 
not  much  over  fifty.  James  G.  McKay,  of  North 
Carolina,  had  been  a  member  since  1831.  He  w\as 
plain  in  appearance,  but  constant  in  his  attention  to 
duty.  George  N.  Briggs,  of  Massachusetts,  was 
elected  in  1831.  He  w^as  a  wdiig,  and  an  attentive 
and  efiicient  member.  James  Buchanan  had  been  a 
prominent  and  distinguished  member  of  the  Senate 
for  seven  years.  He  came  into  Congress  in  1821,  in 
the  lower  house,  of  which  he  remained  an  active  and 
influential  member  till   1831.     In  1833  he  was  ap- 


840 

pointed  minister  to  Russia,  and  on  his  return  two  years 
later  was  elected  to  the  Senate.  He  had  much  weight 
and  influence,  and  for  the  preceding  twelve  years  had 
heen  identified  with  the  Jackson  and  Van  Buren  dy- 
nasties, though  in  Tyler's  time  he  ranked  among  the 
opposition.  He  was  strict  in  his  party  devotion,  but 
never  ultra  in  his  doctrines.  In  figure  and  address 
he  was  aristocratic-looking,  with  the  blandest  and 
most  polished  manners;  specious  in  debate  and  fair- 
spoken,  inclined  to  be  witty,  and  with  much  dignity 
of  character.  He  was  ^^a  stricken  bachelor,"  and  al- 
ways wore  a  white  cravat. 

An  accomplished  New  York  lady  wrote  from  Wash- 
ington, June  7,  1842 : 

"  This  morning  paid  a  visit  to  Mrs.  Tj'ler  and  Mrs. 
Madison.  The  latter  is  a  delightful  old  lady,  so  amia- 
ble, with  such  fine  manners.  Mrs.  Robert  Tyler  is 
also  very  pleasing  and  amiable.  Mr.  Roosevelt  and 
I  dined  with  Lord  Ashburton  to-day.  The  dinner  was 
very  pleasant.  Our  company  consisted  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Berton,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhett,  Dr.  Linn,  Mr.  Con- 
rad, Mr.  White  (Speaker  of  the  House),  Mr.  Fillmore, 
General  Jones,  Mr.  Finis,  General  Van  Ness  and  Mr. 
Poinsett.  The  entertainment  was  simple  and  elegant, 
and  passed  off  very  pleasantly.  Lord  Ashburton  has 
three  secretaries." 

June  22d. — "Mrs.  Madison  sent  me  this  afternoon 
an  album  of  her  niece,  Miss  Payne,  to  look  at.  I  found 
a  very  pretty  2:)iece  of  poetry  written  by  Mr.  Adams : 
*  To  Miss  Anna  Payne.' 

"Last  evening  I  went  to  the  President's  grounds 
with  Mr.  Roosevelt.     Mr.  Ingersoll  joined  us ;  we  met 


A    DEATH    IN    THE    TALACE.  341 

a  number  of  acquaintances  there  ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Law- 
rence of  Boston,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster,  Senator  BatevS, 
Mrs.  Middle  ton,  &c." 

After  the  death  of  Mrs.  John  Tyler,  Mrs.  Robert 
Tyler  wrote  in  October,  1842: — "As  you  know,  we 
were  summoned  from  Brooklyn  by  mother's  last  ill- 
ness. We  started  immediately,  but  only  arrived  here 
after  her  death,  and  even  after  the  funeral  service 
had  been  performed.  Nothing  can  exceed  the  loneli- 
ness of  this  large  and  gloomy  mansion — hung  with 
black — its  walls  echoing  only  sighs  and  groans;  of 
course  their  mother's  death  was  a  most  aoroniziny; 
blow  to  the  w^hole  family.  My  poor  husband  suffered 
dreadfully  w^hen  he  was  told  that  mother's  eyes  were 
constantly  turned  to  the  door  watching  for  him.  He 
had  left  Wavshing-ton  to  brinp^  me  and  the  children  at 
her  request.  She  was  very  fond  of  me,  and  I  loved 
her  dearly.  vShe  had  everything  about  her  to  awaken 
love  ;  she  was  beautiful  to  the  eye  even  in  her  ill- 
health;  her  complexion  was  as  clear  as  an  infant's,  her 
figure  perfect,  and  her  hands  and  feet  were  the  most 
delicate  I  ever  saw.  vShe  was  refined  and  gentle  in 
everything  she  said  and  did;  and,  above  all,  a  pure 
and  spotless  Christian.  Indeed  she  was  just  my  beau 
ideal  of  a  perfect  gentlewoman.  The  devotion  of 
father  and  her  sons  to  her  was  affecting ;  I  do  not 
i  think  I  ever  saw  her  enter  the  room,  where  they  w^ere 
assembled,  that  they  did  not  all  three  spring  up,  to 
lead  her  to  a  chair,  to  arrange  her  footstool,  and  ca- 
ress and  pet  her." .... 

The  return  of  General  Cass  from  his  mission  to 
France,  and  the  important  associations  connected  with 


342  Tyler's  administration. 

his  name,  excited  a  great  sensation  in  political  circles. 
His  history  embraced  the  record  of  numerous  patriotic 
deeds  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  he  occupied  a 
larger  share  of  public  attention  as  the  question  of  the 
next  Presidency  began  to  be  agitated.  On  the  first 
day  of  January,  1843,  the  President's  house  was  thrown 
open  for  yisitors  ;  Mr.  Webster,  M.  de  Bodisco,  Gen- 
eral Cass,  John  C.  Calhoun,  Mr.  Adams,  Mr  Roosevelt 
and  other  distinguished  citizens  receiving  the  com- 
pany. General  Cass  had  received  the  visits  and 
cordial  greeting  of  almost  all  the  members  of  Con- 
gress, and  was  very  happy  with  his  charming  family. 
Seven  thousand  were  guessed  to  be  present.  Among 
them  were  seen  Senators  Tallmadge,  Choate,  Rives, 
Evans,  Merrick,  Bates,  Carr,  Calhoun,  Sevier,  King, 
Allen,  Linn,  Conrad,  Woodbridge,  Porter,  Young,  &c. 
Of  the  House  of  Representatives  the  most  conspicu- 
ous were  Messrs.  Pickens  and  Morgan,  General  Daw- 
son, General  Ward,  Colonel  Sumter  of  South  Carolina, 
Frank  Granger,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  John  McKeon,  Gov- 
ernor Pope,  Albert  Smith,  Allen  of  Maine,  John  C. 
Clark,  Judge  Edwards,  Gwinn  and  Thompson  of  Missis- 
sippi, &c.  Among  the  charming  women  present  w^ere 
Mrs.  Bodisco,  Mrs.  Fletcher  Webster,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Roose- 
velt, Mrs.  Wickliffe,  Mrs.  Greenough,  the  Misses  Daw- 
son, Gales,  Granger,  Wickliffe,  Elizabeth  Blair,  Miss 
Woodbury,  Bayard,  Mason  of  Alexandria,  the  accom- 
plished daughters  of  Thomas  L.  Smith,  kc.  The  ar- 
rangements were  admirable.  Robert  Tyler  and  his 
lovely  and  accomplished  wife  stood  by  the  President 
to  receive  their  friends,  and  Mrs.  William  Tyler  ^\as 
the  object  of  universal  admiration.     John  C.  Calhoun 


DISTINGUISHED    RECEPTIONS.  343 

stood  ill  the  center  of  the  east  room,  with  many  lovely 
women  around  him.  General  Cass  held  a  levee  of 
intellectual  men  and  beautiful  women.  Mr.  Webster's 
house  was  also  opened  to  a  brilliant  crowd.  Here 
were  Daniel  "  the  godlike  man/'  General  Cass  and 
General  Scott,  and  other  congenial  spirits.  Mrs. 
Webster  did  the  honors ;  and  the  star  of  attraction 
was  Mrs.  Fletcher  Webster,  who  w^as  a  woman  of 
surpassing  loveliness,  as  was  her  sister  Mrs.  Page. 
Mr.  Roosevelt,  who  resided  in  Mrs.  Madison's  house, 
received  visitors,  to  whom  the  beautiful  and  accom- 
plished Mrs.  Roosevelt  did  the  honors  "in  the  true 
old  Knickerbocker  style,  like  a  w^orthy  descendant  of 
the  honored  family  of  Yan  Ness."  Her  guests  w^ere 
numerous  and  distinguished,  and  her  table  was  said  to 
be  the  best  of  the  day-. 

A  most  intellectual  treat  was  met  with  at  the 
house  of  John  Quincy  Adams.  The  "  old  man  elo- 
quent" fired  up  with  the  vigor  of  youth.  Leading 
men  of  all  parties,  and  every  man  of  distinction  in 
the  city,  called  to  pay  their  respects.  Mrs.  John 
Adams,  and  his  lovely  grand-daughter,  assisted  in  the 
reception  of  guests.  Mrs.  Tayloe  also  threw  open  her 
splendid  mansion,  Miss  Custis  assisting  Mrs.  Tayloe 
to  preside.  Hon.  Aspbury  Dickens  gave  an  enter- 
tainment ;  also  Major  Thomas  L.  Smith,  and  Mr.  Lar- 
ned  of  the  Treasury  department.  Senator  Tallmadge 
is  said  to  have  declared,  on  his  honor  as  a  gentleman, 
that  "  the  eggnog  at  this  house  was  superior  to  any 
he  had  ever  tasted." 

Afterwards  Mrs.  Tyler  wrote  to  her  sister  in  1843  : 
"You    say  you   hear   Bertrand  is  to   come    to    this 


344  tylek's  administration. 

country !  M}^  dear,  he  has  come !  come,  seen  and 
conquered  —  he  has  come,  seen  me,  and  heen  con- 
quered! The  Marslial  arrived  during  the  Presi- 
dent's absence  in  Virginia,  and  the  whole  duty  of 
entertaining  him  devolved  upon  me  !  To  be  sure, 
Mr.  Tyler  is  here;  but  lie  is  only  the  Prince  Con- 
sort, you  know.  He  arrived  on  Saturday,  and  sent 
the  same  evening  to  ask  if  I  would  receive  him, 
and  at  what  hour  he  should  call.  I  appointed  eight 
o'clock,  it  being  then  past  seven.  I  immediately 
sent  for  the  officers  of  the  cabinet,  and  was  sur- 
rounded by  them  when  the  old  hero  arrived,  ac- 
companied by  his  suite.  He  bowed  to  the  very 
ground,  and  I  curtsied  quite  as  low.  I  cannot  con- 
vey to  you  an  idea  of  how  charmingly  I  received 
him.  The  hour  he  remained  he  spent  in  compliment- 
ing me  in  French  and  English,  rather  jumbled  to- 
gether, while  I  returned  his  compliments  in  the  same 
eccentric  mixture  of  languages.  At  last,  after  a 
flourishing  speech,  squeezing  my  hand,  with  a  second 
low  bow  over  it,  he  departed,  followed  by  his  suite, 
each  first  making  a  profound  obeisance.  I  could  not  re- 
sist the  impulse,  and,  as  the  last  mustachioed  French- 
man left  the  room,  I  turned  a  pirouette  upon  one  foot 
on  the  rug,  and  then,  dropping  a  low  curtsey,  said : 
'  I  beg  the  cabinet's  pardon.'  Whereat  Mr.  Tyler 
was  exceeding  wrathy,  though  every  one  else  said  it 
was  the  ^sweetest  thin2:'  I  had  done  the  whole  even- 
ing.  The  Marshal  was  to  leave  the  next  morning 
(Sunday),  but  I  sent  him  an  invitation  for  Monday 
evening.  You  should  see  the  note  of  acceptance  he 
wrote  (I  have   it  in  my  book  of  autographs),:    he 


MRS.  TYLERS  TARTY  TO  BERTRAND.     345 

•  Imd  intended  leaving;'  ^  my  gmcieuse  invitation' 
was  not  to  be  resisted',  I  had  but  a  short  time  in 
which  to  effect  a  great  deal,  but  my  usual  administra- 
tive powers  w^ere  called  into  action,  and  I  succeeded 
in  doing  all  I  w-ished  to  do.  I  sent  out  two  hundred 
invitations  to  the  'crime  de  la  creme'  of  Washington 
society. 

^'  At  eight  o'clock  my  party  was  assembled,  formed 
of  the  very  prettiest  girls,  and  nicest  people  I  could 
collect.  All  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  ap- 
peared in  their  uniforms.  The  diplomatique  corps  in 
full  court  costume.  I  stood  at  the  head  of  the  blue 
center  room  under  the  window.  As  the  Marshal  ar- 
rived and  w^alked  through  the  hall,  the  band  struck 
up  the  '  Marseilles  Hymn.'  The  guests  fell  back  on 
either  side  as  he  entered  the  room,  leaving  a  broad 
path  for  Bertrand  to  advance  to  where  Josephine — I 
mean,  to  where  /  stood  surrounded  by  the  cabinet 
To  describe  the  reverences  he  made,  followed  by  his 
son  and  each  of  his  suite  in  turn,  w^ould  be  vain!  I 
returned  them  wdth  grandma's  old-fashioned  curtsies, 
such  as  must  have  existed  in  the  days  of  the  Empire. 
Soon  after  his  arrival  the  quadrilles  commenced.  I 
only  danced  twice.  Once,  to  open  the  ball,  with 
Count  Bertrand,  the  Marshal's  son,  and  again,  at  his 
request,  with  his  aid-de-camp  :  two  young  Frenchmen 
composed  of  full  pantaloons  and  mustachios.  For 
the  rest  of  the  evening  my  guests  demanded  my  at- 
tention.    No  party  ever  went  off  better, 

"Father,  w^ith  his  usual  kindness,  had  given  me  a 
carte-blanche  before  he  left,  and  my  supper  w^as 
splendid,,  (it  is  so  easy  to  entertain  at  other  people's 


346  Tyler's  admixistratiox. 

expense.)  The  prettiest  things  on  the  table  were 
two  pyramids  composed  of  pomegranates  with  the 
skins  peeled  off,  and  Malaga  grapes.  They  looked 
like  rubies  and  emeralds.  I  had  quantities  of  vases 
of  natural  flowers  down  the  table,  and  festoons  of 
grapes  going  from  vase  to  vase  the  whole  length  of 
the  table,  which,  of  course,  was  covered  with  every- 
thing possible  in  the  way  of  jellies,  ices,  creams,  &c., 
&c.,  and  quantities  of  the  most  beautiful  French  bon- 
bons. Nothing  was  on  the  long  principal  table  but 
things  of  the  most  aerial,  glittering  description.    Meats 

were  all  banished  to  the  side  table Altog^ether 

every  thing  was  as  plentiful  and  brilliant  as  I  could 
make  it,  and  I  personally  directed  everything  myself. 
As  the  Marshal  led  me  in  to  supper,  he  seemed  com- 
pletely overcome,  and  putting  his  hand  upon  his 
heart,  said:  'Oh,  Madame,  all  zis  for  raeV  The 
only  contretemps  that  occurred  was,  that  I  gave 
him  with  a  smile,  a  most  splendid  looking  French 
sugar  j^lum  without  observing  the  picture  on  it, 
Avhich  I  afterw^ard  discovered,  to  my  horror,  to  be 
that  of  an  ass ! — I  hope  the  Marshal  did  not  think  it 
personal!  The  old  gentleman  did  not  leave  until  all 
the  guests  had  departed,  and  then  made  me  a  long 
speech  of  adieu,  saying  at  the  end:  'I  sink  voits  eies 
charmojitey  Madame;  I  sink  you  are  very  good  ivomaji, 
and  all  your  people  must  lof  you.  Adieu,  Madame, 
I  shall  nevare  forget  you!'  Then  saluting  my  hand 
in  the  most  chivalrous,  French,  respectful,  delicious 
manner,  he  departed,  and  left  me  alone  in  my  glory. 
I  looked  very  well — for  me!  I  was  dressed  in  a  rose- 
colored  satin,  trimmed  with  blonde  lace  and  flowers, 


ciiilcuen's  party  at  the  white  house.     347 

a  charming  little  head-dress  of  white  bugles.  By  the 
way  bugles  are  all  the  rage!  Are  you  not  tired  of 
all  this  egotism?" 

A  juvenile  fancy  ball  was  given  by  Mrs.  Robert 
Tj'ler  on  the  third  birthday  of  her  daughter.  The 
child  was  dressed  as  a  fairy  with  silver  wand,  gossa- 
mer wings,  and  a  diamond  star  upon  her  forehead, 
holding  the  hand  of  her  young  mother  while  she  re- 
ceived her  guests.  The  daughter  of  the  Mexican 
Minister,  a  very  little  girl,  represented  a  princess  of 
her  own  country  in  embroidered  satin  and  one  blaze 
of  magnificent  diamonds.  A  son  of  the  Schemerhorn 
family  of  New  York,  appeared  as  a  Greek  boy — with 
the  most  elaborate  and  perfect  costume  in  the  room. 
Little  Miss  Cutts,  afterwards  Mrs.  Senator  Douglas, 
also  graced  the  occasion,  giving  promise  of  the  intel- 
ligence and  beauty  which  in  later  years  led  captive 
the  great  statesman  of  the  West.  The  boys  and  girls 
of  the  famous  Henry  A.  Wise  moved  upon  the  scene, 
the  youngest  in  the  arms  of  its  sweet  mother,  for- 
merly Miss  Sergeant,  of  Philadelphia.  Also  some 
younger  scions  of  Mr.  Wickliffe's  family,  the  then 
Postmaster-General;  the  beautiful  children  of  Mrs. 
D'Arguiz  and  the  Spanish  Minister,  &c.  In  fact  the 
diplomatique  corps,  the  Cabinet,  Senate,  Supreme 
Court,  House  of  Representatives  and  the  principal 
cities  of  the  Union,  were  represented  by  the  lovely 
little  ones  assembled.  But  the  most  noticeable  feature 
of  the  evening  was  the  supper  table,  where,  opposite 
the  little  hostess  of  three  years,  sat  the  venerable 
Mrs.  Madison,  the  only  invited  guest  of  adult  years 
admitted  to  the   table,  while  the  ladies  of  the  family 


348  Tyler's  administration", 

attended  to  the  children's  wants  and  distributed  the 
gifts  from  branches  of  the  brilHant  Christmas  tree 
which  adorned  the  center  of  the  ^vell  laden  board. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Tyler  suffered  greatly  in  the 
late  war,  and  the  lady  described  her  painful  expe- 
riences in  eloquent  letters  to  her  relatives.  If  pub- 
lished, they  would  form  a  most  interesting  addition  to 
the  literature  of  that  period.  They  now  reside  in 
Alabama. 

Besides  the  numerous  private  entertainments,  a 
club  of  resident  gentlemen,  composed  of  the  first 
class,  arranged  an  annual  set  of  parties,  under  the 
title  of  '*  The  Washington  Assemblies,"  to  which  all 
were  invited  who  had  the  entree  to  fashionable  cir- 
cles. The  opening  one  took  place  in  January.  There 
was  the  inevitable  M.  de  Bodisco,  with  his  dignified 
air;  and  near  him,  with  j^etitmaitre  manners,  might 
be  seen  the  Spanish  envoy  extraordinary.  A  squatty 
figure,  with  high  cheek  bones,  long  black  hair  and  well- 
spread  forehead,  was  Mr.  Almonte,  the  new  Mexican 
Ambassador.  There  were  Bavard  and  Huntins-ton, 
fresh  from  a  warm  debate,  and  there  was  the  Colossus 
in  mind — Daniel  Webster — among  the  thoughtless; 
and  there  was  a  well-dressed  elegant  person,  talking 
with  the  last  American  minister  to  Spain ;  the  first 
delegate  from  East  Florida,  and  a  distinguished  officer 
in  its  Indian  wars — General  Hernandez.  A  tall  young 
man,  in  brown  and  black,  with  simple  white  vesting, 
was  young  Harvey  from  South  Carolina;  he  had  an 
elastic  step  and  a  haughty  mien,  and  conversed  well. 
A  noble  beauty  was  Mrs.  Van  Ness  of  Spanish  birth ; 
her  speaking  and  eloquent  eyes  caused  her  to  share 


KEIGXING    BELLES.  340 

tlie  admiration  ^vitll  the  majestic  and  queenly  Mrs. 
Webster.  Leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  Mexican  minis- 
ter was  "  the  far  and  wide  celebrated  widow,"  Mrs. 
White  of  New  York.  Not  only  peerlessly  beautiful, 
she  had  a  warm  and  feeling  heart.  Her  life  had  been 
checkered  for  one  so  young ;  but  she  wore  no  mark 
of  sorrow,  nor  was  there  a  line  of  grief  in  that  face  of 
sunshine.  With  thousands  at  her  feet,  she  had  not 
the  bearing  of  a  conqueror.  The  stately  girl  opposite 
Mr.  Waldron  of  the  navy,  was  the  celebrated  Miss 
Gardiner  of  New  York.  Sparkling  and  attractive  with- 
out affectation,  she  had  a  high  and  daring  spirit,  and 
had  been  much  admired  in  Parisian  circles.  Next  to 
her,  prattling  with  innocent  naivete,  was  her  younger 
sister,  and  close  to  her  a  Southern  belle,  Miss  Lawson 
of  Louisiana,  all  vivacity  and  life,  with  wit  that  gath- 
ered a  crowd  about  her.  Alexandria's  most  beautiful 
flower.  Miss  Bryant,  was  conspicuous  and  Mrs.  Stan- 
ley, a  whole-souled  and  fearless  woman. 

As  March  approached,  squalls  were  anticipated  in 
the  political  horizon  which  would  stir  the  social  at- 
mosphere. The  continuance  of  Mr.  Webster  in  the 
cabinet,  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of  the  whigs  or 
the  democrats,  caused  a  disturbed  state  of  things. 
Tyler,  with  his  veto  in  one  hand  and  his  spoils  in  the 
other,  had  demolished  and  destroyed  the  expectations 
of  the  whigs  during  the  last  two  years.  The  Calhoun 
men  were  in  high  spirits,  feeling  sure  that  Mr.  Cal- 
houn would  get  the  nomination  at  the  Convention  in 
1844.  He  vv\as  in  capital  health  and  spirits,  while 
McDuffie's  health  had  greatly  improved.    The  winter, 

so  far,  had  been  rather  dull.     The  onlv  parties  worth 
22 


350  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

mentioning  had  been  given  by  Mr.  Webster,  Mr.  Wick- 
liffe  and  Lieutenant  Kearney.  The  gossip  of  society 
announced  that  Hon.  Caleb  Gushing  would  shortly 
lead  to  the  altar  a  beautiful,  intellectual  and  wealthy 
lady — a  Eoman  Catholic — from  Baltimore.  Another 
rumor  was  fiiintly  heard  —  of  the  President's  mar- 
riage being  anticipated.  A  little  later  in  March,  ex- 
President  Van  Buren  was  at  Albany,  preparing  the 
machinery  for  the  next  election,  John  Van  Buren 
with  him.  Henry  Clay  was  in  Ashland,  after  a  visit 
to  New  Orleans.  General  Cass  was  in  his  home  at 
Detroit,  where  he  had  been  received  with  great  eclat. 
John  G.  Calhoun  was  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
said  to  be  also  preparing  for  the  next  Presidency. 
Daniel  Webster  had  not  yet  left  the  cabinet,  but  it 
was  supposed  he  w^ould  soon  go  to  England  as  minis- 
ter in  place  of  Edward  Everett,  who  was  destined  to 
go  to  China.  In  December,  Pakenham  was  the  newly 
appointed  minister  from  the  court  of  St.  James,  in 
place  of  Mr.  Fox.  His  special  mission  was  to  settle 
the  Oregon  question. 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  Ole  Bull,  the  simple- 
minded,  the  warm-hearted,  the  enthusiastic  child  of 
nature,  was  the  lion  of  Washington.  He  was  said  at 
the  time  to  be  about  thirty-three.  He  was  broad- 
shouldered,  with  a  remarkably  full,  prominent  and 
expansive  chest.  In  conversation  he  exhibited  occa- 
sional outbreaks  of  good  humored,  nervous  excita- 
bility ;  and  he  often  tapped  his  head  with  his  fingers, 
as  though  he  felt  a  consuming  fire  within.  "No  man," 
he  said,  "  can  do  any  ting  in  dis  world  widout  entu- 
siasm ;  he  must  'ave  de  mania ;  people  vill  tink  he 


A   NEW   FEATURE    AT    THE   WHITE    HOUSE.       351 

ish  mad ;  he  must  trow  his  whole  soul  into  his  busi- 
ness, or  else  he  can't  excel." 

At  the  next  New  Year's  day  it  was  declared  that 
Pennsylvania  avenue  never  before  witnessed  so  much 
joy,  so  much  dress,  so  much  beauty,  so  much  gallantry, 
so  much  fashion,  so  much  intelligence.  The  grand 
feature  of  the  day  was  the  President's  levee.  Higher 
than  all  the  rest  could  be  seen  the  waving  plume  of 
General  Scott,  rivalled  only  by  the  towering  height  of 
long  John  Wentworth,  member  from  Illinois.  Dixon 
H.  Lewis  ploughed  through  the  mass  like  a  seventy- 
four  well  rigged  ;  diminutives  following  in  his  wake. 
All  the  secretaries  of  departments  were  "  at  home," 
and  Mrs.  Madison,  too,  with  a  pretty  bouquet  in  her 
hand.  John  Quincy  Adams  also  threw  open  his 
house.  The  privilege  of  the  floor  of  the  House  was 
granted  by  vote  of  Congress  to  Mrs.  Madison. 

The  exciting  scenes  in  Congress,  and  the  struggle 
of  political  parties,  occupied  public  attention  to  the 
overshadowing  of  social  matters.  The  fashionable 
season  opened  about  the  middle  of  January  with  the 
President's  levee.  A  wholly  new  feature  was  intro- 
duced to  the  delight  of  the  guests — dancing,  A 
noted  event  in  the  fashionable  world  was  the  ball  and 
supper  given  by  Mr.  Gouverneur,  late  postmaster  of 
New  York.  Mrs.  Robert  Tyler  had  gone  to  Virginia ; 
but  the  White  House  had  a  fair  representative  in  the 
President's  niece.  In  the  little  world  of  Washington, 
the  New  York  variety  of  equipage  was  equalled. 
Now  would  dash  by  the  beautiful  low  Parisian  car- 
riage of  the  French  minister;  the  servants  in  drab 
and  silver,  followed  by  the  carriage  of  some  patrician 


352  Tyler's  administratiox. 

Virginian,  driven  by  an  old  negro  in  battered  hat  and 
torn  coat,  the  harness  mended  with  ropes,  the  leather 
curtains  shrunk  and  flying  in  the  wind.  Anon  came 
along  a  provincial  dandy  on  a  prancing  big-headed 
horse  whose  sides  the  rider  lacerated  with  his  long 
spurs,  and  by  checking  him  with  the  curb  forced  him 
to  go  sideways,  so  that  the  most  prominent  objects 
were  the  horse's  long  tail  and  the  rider's  large  nose, 
his  military  saddle  denoting  that  some  of  his  ances- 
tors were  in  the  army.  Then  came  the  handsome 
carriage  and  blood  horses  of  a  member  from  New 
Jersey;  the  two  colored  servants  in  neat  plain  clothes, 
respectable  and  grave  in  their  appearance.  Now, 
walking  briskly  along,  came  the  President's  private 
secretary,  John  Tyler,  Jr.;  the  handsomest  man  in 
Washington.  He  was  accustomed  to  carry  the  Presi- 
dents messao-es  to  the  Senate  and  the  House. 

Yet  even  in  this  kino^dom  of  fashion  there  were 
fine  ladies,  self-styled  leaders  of  the  ton,  who  con- 
sidered themselves  too  exclusive  to  visit  the  famih^ 
of  "  that  honest,  courteous  gentleman,  the  President," 
and  wdio  boasted  that  they  had  never  been  inside  the 
White  House  since  the  death  of  General  Harrison. 
One  of  these  high  dames,  the  moment  it  was  an- 
nounced that  the  President  would  hold  his  first  levee, 
issued  invitations  for  a  supper-party  the  same  even- 
in  ij^,  inviting  those  she  reg:arded  as  beloncrino-  to  the 
first  set,  and  intimating  that  their  non-attendance 
would  be  followed  by  expulsion  from  the  coterie. 
This  lady  who  tried  to  put  a  slight  on  the  family  of 
the  Chief  Mao^istrate  was  no  scion  of  "  the  first  fami- 
lies  in  Virginia,  born  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac 


EQUIPAGES    AND    PARTIES.  353 

before  the  Revolution,  in  a  gubernatorial  mansion  of 
the  days  of  George  the  Second,  situated  in  the  center 
of  an  estate  of  a  thousand  acres,  with  five  hundred 
elaves  to  tremble  at  her  nod."  Her  husband  was  a 
printer,  and  for  some  thirty  years  his  family  had  lived 
on  the  patronage  of  the  government.  '-It  was  but 
the  other  day  that  the  Calvert  fiimily,  the  lineal  de- 
scendants of  one  of  the  lord  proprietors  of  Maryland, 
in  their  old-fashioned  chariot  and  four  roan  horses, 
drove  ten  miles  over  a  very  bad  road,  to  pay  their 
respects  on  New  Year's  day  to  the  Chief  Magistrate." 
Three  of  the  most  respected  navy  officers — Commo- 
dores Stewart,  Shubrick  and  Bolton — were  at  this 
time  mingling  in  the  social  circles  of  the  capital. 
Mrs.  Wickliffe,  the  wife  of  the  Postmaster-General, 
gave  her  first  party  for  the  season  in  January.  Misses 
Mary,  Margaret  and  Nancy  Wickliffe  assisted  in  the 
reception  of  the  company  in  the  most  charming  man- 
ner. The  wife  of  the  Mayor,  Mrs.  Seaton,  followed 
with  a  brilliant  ball  and  supper ;  and  Senator  Rives 
gave  a  select  dinner  party  on  Saturday.  The  ladies 
of  Washington  were  devotedly  attentive  to  Mrs.  Rives. 
After  the  first '-  Washington  assembly,"  Mrs.  Rich- 
ard S.  Coxe  gave  a  splendid  party.  She  was  the  wife 
of  an  eloquent  and  learned  lawyer,  and  the  daughter 
of  the  eminent  merchant  and  worthy  man,  John  G. 
Warren  of  New  York.  A  new  topic  of  curiosity  and 
excitement  were  the  movements  of  Captain  Stockton, 
who  was  to  make  some  grand  exhibitions  of  his  cor- 
vette sloop  of  war  "  Princeton."  Mr.  McDuffie  at  this 
time  made  his  second  speech  on  the  tariff.  He  was 
regarded  as  '^  a  second  Calhoun,  and  in  his  particular 


354  Tyler's  administration. 

way  the  greatest,  ablest,  most  eloquent,  most  compre- 
hensive statesman  in  either  house  of  Congress.  All 
the  rest  are  pigmies  to  this  intellectual  giant."  He 
was  the  boast  and  pride  of  South  Carolina. 

Captain  Stockton  made  his  first  appearance  at  the 
President's  levee,  and  was  attended  by  a  crowd  wher- 
ever he  moved ;  being  obliged  again  and  again  to  re- 
count the  exploits  of  the  "  Princeton  "  in  coming  up 
throusrh  the  ice  of  the  Potomac.  The  astonishment 
she  created  among  the  inhabitants  on  the  banks  of 
the  river,  is  not  easily  conceived ;  as  they  beheld  a 
fairy  phantom  ship,  without  a  patch  of  sail  spread  up- 
on her  spars,  or  a  living  soul  upon  her  decks,  without 
the  slightest  evidenca  of  steam,  fire,  light,  or  life  on 
board,  still  ploughing  her  onward  way  through  the 
immense  thickness  of  ice ;  ripping,  tearing,  breaking, 
crushing,  with  irresistible  power  1  The  President  and 
suite — a  private  party — were  to  visit  her  the  next 
day. 

On  the  8th  February  Madame  Pageot,  the  wife  of 
the  French  minister,  entertained  her  friends.  Lemon- 
ade and  sponge  cake  were  handed  about,  but  sparingly 
tasted ;  for  whispers  of  a  '-  Parisian  supper,"  "  pates 
perigord,"  &c.,  were  heard  faintly ;  and  the  thermome- 
ter was  below  freezing  point.  About  twelve,  one  of 
the  elder  ladies  took  the  arm  of  the  hostess,  for  the 
purpose  of  going  to  the  dressing-room  for  a  moment. 
It  was  understood  that  supper  was  ready;  and  two  by 

two,  with  stately  step,  the  company  followed to 

the  dressing-room.  Supper  there  was  none ;  and  to 
return  to  the  drawing-room  would  have  been  ungrace- 
ful ;  so  everybody  went  home. 


Tn2  CATASTROPHE  OF  "THE  PRINCETON."   355 

It  was  on  the  28th  of  February  that  the  dreadful 
and  heart-rending  catastrophe  occurred  which  was  to 
fill  Washington  and  the  land  with  mourning.  The 
fete  was"  given  by  Captain  Stockton  on  board  the 
Princeton.  The  ship  proceeded  down  the  river  below 
Mount  Yernon,  and  on  her  return,  when  within  some 
twenty  minutes'  run  of  Alexandria,  the  large  gun  on 
the  bow  was  fired.  It  exploded  at  the  breech,  and 
spread  death  and  destruction  over  the  deck !  The 
Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Upshur,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  Governor  Gilmer,  Commodore  Kennon,  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Construction  of  the  Navy,  Virgil 
Maxcy,  and  Mr.  Gardiner  of  New  York,  were  in- 
stantly killed.  Colonel  Benton  and  Captain  Stock- 
ton were  slightly  injured.  Several  others  suffered 
severely.  A  steamboat  from  Alexandria,  which  was 
passing,  was  sent  back  to  town,  and  returned  with 
several  surgeons.  The  President,  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Tuley  of  Virginia,  and  many  ladies  who  were  on 
board,  escaped  without  injury.  Judge  Wilkins  was 
^*  saved  by  a  witticism."  He  had  been  standing  be- 
side Governor  Gilmer,  and  perceiving  the  gun  was 
about  to  be  fired,  exclaimed :  "  Though  Secretary  of 
War,  I  do  not  like  this  firing,  and  believe  I  shall 
run."  So  saying,  he  retreated.  The  two  daugh- 
ters of  Mr.  Gardiner  were  on  board,  and  were  over- 
whelmed at  the  death  of  their  father;  while  Mrs. 
Gilmer  sat  on  deck  with  hair  dishevelled,  pale  as 
death,  striving  to  control  her  feelings ;  her  lips  quiv- 
ering, her  eyes  fixed  and  upturned,  without  a  tear. 
Five  hundred  guests  were  on  board ;  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  had  just  dined,  and  the  toasts  were  being 


356  Tyler's  administration. 

drunk.  Shortly  before  the  catastrophe.  Judge  Up- 
shur had  been  called  on  for  his  toast.  He  accident- 
ally took  up  an  empty  bottle,  and  pleasantly  remarked 
that  "the  dead  bodies"  (the  empty  bottles)  must  be 
cleared  away  before  he  could  give  his  toast.  By 
chance  another  empty  bottle  was  pushed  towards 
him  ;  he  repeated  his  joke,  which  drew  from  Captain 
Stockton  the  reply  that  there  were  plenty  of  living 
(bottles)  to  supply  the  places  of  the  dead.  The  Pres- 
ident then  gave  the  toast :  "  The  Princeton  and  her 
three  guns,  &c."  The  leading  gentlemen  then  with- 
drew from  the  table  to  make  room  for  others;  and 
within  ten  minutes  Judge  Upshur  himself  was  a  dead 
body !  Six  hearses  were  escorted  by  Mr.  Wickliffe 
to  the  President's  house,  w^here  the  body  of  Colonel 
Gardiner  remained  till  the  funeral. 

At  this  time  the  two  great  questions  of  the  an- 
nexation of  Texas,  and  the  negotiations  concern- 
ing Oregon,  were  before  the  country.  Mr.  Webster 
took  ground  against  the  annexation.  Calhoun,  who 
had  accepted  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State,  was 
decidedly  in  favor  of  it,  and  not  disposed  to  yield 
an  inch  in  Oregon.  Mr.  John  Y.  Mason  was  the 
new  Secretary  of  the  Nav3^  Mr.  Choate's  great 
speech  in  the  Senate  on  the  Oregon  question,  was 
esteemed  a  masterpiece,  highly  finished,  elaborate 
and  classical.  Mr.  Tyler  was  reported  to  have  said: 
"I'll  tell  you,  gentlemen,  this  Texas  question  will 
ride  over  and  ride  down  every  other ;  and  the  politi- 
cians will  fall  before  it  as  the  soldiers  fell  at  New 
Orleans.  It  will  kill  all  the  men  and  parties  that  are 
opposed  to  it ;  and  the  voice  of  the  people  will  come 


TEXAN    MINISTERS.  357 

back  in  favor  of  the  annexation,  like  a  mighty  ava- 
lanche, sweeping  both  factions  into  ruin  before  it.  I 
at  least  shall  have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  I 
have  clone  my  duty.  I  have  no  desire  that  war  should 
come  during  my  administration :  but,  gentlemen,  if 
it  does  come,  I  shall  push  it  through.  I  shall  not 
give  way  one  inch  ;  nor  shall  I  yield  one  foot  of  our 
territory  of  Oregon."  Mr.  AVebstcr  was  now  con- 
sidered opposed  to  the  administration.  General  Hen- 
derson, the  Texan  minister,  shortly  after  arrived  with 
full  powers  to  negotiate  the  annexation.  The  other 
minister,  Mr.  Van  Zandt,  had  awaited  him  in  Wash- 
ington. Henderson  had  been  appointed  by  President 
Houston,  in  obedience  to  the  secret  instructions  of  the 
Texan  Congress.  In  case  the  American  government 
should  refuse  to  accept  the  proposition  of  annexation, 
Henderson  was  authorized  to  proceed  immediately  to 
England,  and  to  propose  an  alliance  of  some  kind 
with  that  power,  either  as  a  colony,  or  in  some  other 
independent  shape.  Mr.  Calhoun  thus  entered  upon 
his  duties  at  a  most  momentous  era.  He  had  on  one 
hand  the  negotiation  with  Mr.  Pakenham,  which  was 
to  settle  the  fate  of  Oregon,  the  fortunes  of  the  West, 
and  one  might  say  of  the  great  Pacific  empire ;  on  the 
other,  the  negotiation  with  Henderson,  to  settle  the 
fate  of  Texas  and  the  fortunes  of  the  Southern  and 
South-western  States. 

Mr.  Calhoun  now  became  the  master  spirit  of  the 
American  government,  and  his  energy,  decision,  and 
courage  found  a  field  of  action.  The  impending 
measure  of  annexation  plunged  Washington  and  the 
country  into  a  state  of  ferment  and  excitement.     Mr. 


358  TYLERS    ADMINISTRATION". 

Clay's  letter,  Mr.  Yan  Buren's  letter,  Mr.  Tyler's  let- 
ter, Avent  with  the  Virginia  election  to  add  fuel  to  the 
flame.  The  atmosjohere  of  Washington  was  political 
rather  than  legislative.  Probahly  never  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  government,  had  there  been  so  much  ma- 
noeuvring, intriguing  and  management.  The  master 
key  to  the  intrigues  was  found  in  the  fact  that  a 
desperate  game  of  chess  w^as  being  played  for  the 
Presidency. 

Mrs.  Madison  gave  a  large  party  on  the  21st  May. 
It  w^as  attended  by  the  Secretaries  of  State  and  of 
the  Navy,  the  Postmaster-General  and  Attorney-Gen- 
eral, Mr.  Spencer,  late  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  many 
of  the  diplomatic  corps,  members  of  Congress,  &c. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrow  had  lately  returned  from  the 
mission  to  Portugal.  Mrs.  Barrow  w^as  a  splendid- 
looking  woman.  A  gentleman  who  had  been  Ameri- 
can Secretary  of  Legation  at  Mexico,  was  describing 
to  Mr.  Pakenham  the  beauty  of  a  New  York  lady, 
wdio,  he  said  reminded  him  of  what  a  queen  ought  to 
be,  '^  such  a  magnificent  queen  as  Zenobia."  "  But," 
asked  Mr.  Charles  J.  IngersoU,  "  What  wms  the  color 
of  Queen  Zenobia?  Might  it  not  have  been  the  sub- 
ject of  animated  correspondence  between  Mr.  Paken- 
ham and  Mr.  Calhoun  ?  "  "  Yes,"  rejoined  Pakenham, 
addressing  Mr.  IngersoU ;  "  and  you,  perhaps,  would 
have  written  a  report  about  it ! " 

A  delegate  to  the  Baltimore  Convention  arrived  in 
Washington,  who  had  come  by  way  of  Nashville,  and 
called  on  General  Jackson.  In  conversation  with  the 
old  hero,  he  expressed  his  embarrassment  as  to  the 
vote  he  should  give  at  the  convention,  in  consequence 


THE    president's    BRIDE.  359 

of  Van  Buren's  opposition  to  annexation.  General 
Jackson,  lifting  his  long  skinny  finger,  said,  emphat- 
ically, "  You  must  forsake  your  friend,  and  cling  to 
your  country."  Delegates  now  thronged  every  cor- 
ner and  quarter  of  the  city.  The  musical  sylvan  levee 
at  the  capitol  the  23d  May,  in  the  afternoon,  was  flish- 
ionably  attended ;  but  the  prospects  of  the  nomina- 
tion to  the  next  Presidency  occupied  all  conversation. 
As  the  marriage  of  the  President  took  place  this 
year,  a  brief  mention  of  his  bride  is  appropriate.  All 
who  knew  Miss  Julia  Gardiner  remember  the  charm 
of  her  conversation,  her  wit,  her  piquancy,  and  her 
radiant  countenance,  bewitching  grave  and  gay,  old 
and  young.  She  was  one  of  those  born  to  shine,  to 
carry  hearts  by  storm.  The  daughter  of  the  Hon. 
David  Gardiner  of  Gardiner's  Island,  she  was  educated 
in  refinement  and  luxury,  and  early  showed  her  pos- 
session of  a  mind  of  rare  powers.  When  she  entered 
society,  at  a  very  youthful  age,  many  were  the  poetic 
tributes  that  proved  her  attractions  —  and  grave 
Senators,  Judges,  and  State  Governors  were  among 
the  suitors  for  her  hand;  yet  she  remained  heart- 
whole  and  fancy-free.  Her  parents  took  their  two 
daughters,  Julia  and  Margaret,  abroad,  and  their 
beauty  and  grace  everywhere  met  with  distinguish- 
ing attention.  The  recipients  of  homage  from  men 
of  princely  rank  and  fortune,  had  they  been  less 
true  to  their  American  instincts  their  destinies  would 
have  been  cast  in  a  foreign  land.  Miss  Gardiner  was 
unmoved  by  rank  and  wealth  and  refused  to  exchange 
her  republican  home  for  one  under  a  monarchical 
government.      Mrs.  Sigourney  wrote    from   London 


oGO  Tyler's  administration. 

that  "English  beaux,  on  meeting  her,  seemed  sud- 
denly to  become  aware  of  the  value  of  their  lost 
colonies." 

By  this  time  Harrison  had  been  elected  President, 
and  his  sudden  death  had  called  Vice-President  Tyler 
to  take  his  place.  When  Miss  Gardiner,  on  her  re- 
turn from  Europe,  attended  the  reception  of  the 
President,  he  could  not  but  feel  the  happy  influence 
of  her  presence,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  expressing  his 
sentiments.  This  suit  was  successful  after  the  death 
of  her  devoted  father,  who  was  one  of  the  five  victims 
of  the  disaster  on  board  the  ship  of  war  "Princeton." 
On  the  25th  of  June  following,  the  unexpected  ar- 
rival of  the  President  in  New  York  created  a  great 
sensation.  What  could  be  the  cause  of  his  sudden 
visit!  Numerous  and  contradictory  were  the  rumors 
concerning  it;  the  annexation  of  Texas;  trouble  with 
England;  and  every  cause  but  the  true  one  was  as- 
signed. It  had  been  understood  that  he  was  to  spend 
a  few  days  at  the  Rip  Raps  of  Virginia;  and  this  un- 
announced change  of  plan  was  unaccountable.  The 
next  day  at  one  o'clock  the  mystery  was  solved! 
Bishop  Onderdonk  performed  the  ceremony;  and  Miss 
Gardiner  and  President  Tyler  w^ere  joined  in  mar- 
riage in  the  presence  of  a  few  friends  at  the  Church 
of  the  Ascension  in  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 

The  wedded  pair  embarked  at  four  o'clock  on  board 
the  steamer  Essex,  amidst  a  shower  of  salutes.  Dur- 
ing the  firing  from  one  of  the  Mexican  vessels  in  the 
harbor,  a  perfect  aerial  ring  appeared,  soared  upward 
for  some  time,  then  gracefully  sank  till  its  rim  touched 
the  water,  when  it  broke  and  vanished.     It  w\as  an 


MRS.   JOHN    TYLER.  361 

incident  -which  seemed  to  betoken  the  rare  and  per- 
fect happiness  that  ever  followed  this  union  of  youth 
and  age  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Tjler  in  18G2. 

Mrs.  Tyler's  receptions  at  the  White  House  were 
noted  for  their  simplicity  as  well  as  elegance  and  re- 
finement. Mrs.  Madison  was  an  always  included,  and 
an  always  present  guest  at  the  State  dinners,  and  the 
larire  or  small  reunions.  Thouiz-h  so  younu^  in  years 
when  it  became  her  lot  to  do  the  honors  of  the  ex- 
ecutive mansion  as  "  the  President's  Bride,"  it  is  an 
admitted  fact  that  she  never  lost  sig^ht  of  the  claims 
of  age  and  position. 

In  1853,  the  Duchesses  of  Sutherland,  Arcrvle  and 
Bedford,  Viscountess  Palmerston,  and  a  host  of  other 
ladies  of  the  English  nobility,  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  ladies  of  the  United  States,  urging  them  to  effect 
the  abolition  of  slavery.  Mrs.  Tyler,  then  living  in 
retirement  at  '^  Sherwood  Forest,"  her  country-^eat 
on  the  James  River,  Virginia,  wrote  a  spirited  reply, 
which  met  with  universal  commendation. 

During  the  civil  war  Mrs.  Tyler  resided  at  the 
South  until  her  husband's  death  in  18G2,  when,  ill  and 
heart-stricken,  she  repaired  with  her  children  to 
Staten  Island,  in  reduced  circumstances,  to  receive  the 
protection  of  her  mother's  roof  After  a  deep  share 
of  sadness  and  trouble,  fortune  has  again  smiled  upon 
her ;  yet  she  continues  to  reside  on  Staten  Island. 

The  approaching  contest  was  one  of  unusual  im- 
portance. The  two  great  parties  were  the  democrats 
and  whigs ;  of  the  latter,  Mr.  Clay  being  the  univer- 
sally acknowledged  and  favorite  candidate.  The 
nomination  of  James  K.  Polk  for  President,  George 


3G2  TYLER'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

M.  Dallas  lor  Vice-President,  completing  the  defeat 
of  Van  Buren  and  Cass,  was  received  by  every  fac- 
tion and  portion  of  the  democracy  with  the  strongest 
marks  of  enthusiasm. 

The  election  of  Mr.  Polk  was  viewed  as  a  complete 
vindication  of  the  administration ;  and  the  President, 
cabinet,  and  subordinates,  were  in  exultation.  The 
fashionable  world  expected  to  reap  the  natural  fruit 
of  this  unbounded  joy,  and  preparations  were  in  prog- 
ress to  make  this  the  most  brilliant  season  ever  yet 
known  in  Washington.  At  stated  periods  the  execu- 
tive mansion  was  to  be  thrown  open  under  the  auspi- 
ces of  the  President's  youthful  bride — called  "the 
most  splendid  and  accomplished  woman  of  the  time." 
"Possessed  of  the  highest  order  of  beauty  and  intel- 
lect, wdth  manners  the  most  elegant  and  popular,  she 
will  draw  about  her  a  court  circle  rivalling  that  of 
Louis  le  Grand."  Other  magnificent  entertainments 
were  in  progress.  John  Quincy  Adams  delivered  a 
lecture  in  one  of  the  Baptist  churches.  Some  con- 
certs w^ere  given  at  the  President's  mansion. 

Colonel  Polk,  the  brother  of  the  President  elect, 
came  to  Washington  accompanied  by  Dr.  Gwynn  of 
Tennessee,  and  created  a  great  sensation  among  the 
political  circles  in  that  capitaL  He  was  a  State  Sena- 
tor in  Tennessee,  frank  and  manly  in  his  general  in- 
tercourse, shrewd  and  w^ary  in  politics.  The  capital 
began  to  be  crowded — the  men  looking  after  ofiices : 
the  women  flocking  to  parties.  Mr.  Pakenham,  who 
had  become  extremely  popular,  gave  the  most  select 
and  elegant  entertainment  given  since  the  days  of 
Sir  Charles  Yaughan.     At  the  birthnight  ball,  besides 


op  o 

OXJ'J 

the  President  and  President  elect,  officers  and  minis- 
ters in  costume,  heads  of  departments,  &c.,  the  occva- 
sion  was  honored  by  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Madison, 
and  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton,  then  nearly  ninety 
years  of  age. 

Mr.  Choate  was  called  ^"  the  nosegay  orator."  Ilis 
speeches  against  the  annexation  filled  the  galleries 
with  the  fiishion  and  beauty  of  the  day.  "  He  could 
fill  their  minds  with  fancied  ambrosial  vales,  strewn 
with  flowers  of  richest  hues,  sending  forth  perpetual 
sweet  scents.  He  could  j^^'tint  the  colors  of  the  rain- 
bow; send  up  a  thousand  jets  of  the  crystal  fluid,  set 
over  the  whole  a  thousand  bright  diadems,  darting  rays 
of  brilliancy  athwart  the  wide-spread  paradise,  &c." 

The  President  elect,  Mr.  Polk,  was  obliged  to  close 
his  levee  at  two  o'clock,  holding  a  short  one  every  day. 
A  "parting  invitation  ball"  was  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tyler  late  in  February,  and  was  crowded  as  usual.  The 
President  elect  was  invited,  but  the  illness  of  Mrs.  Polk 
prevented  liis  attendance.  Mrs.  Tyler  was  gay  and 
cheerful,  and  the  radiance  of  her  smiles  was  reflected 
on  all  except  a  few  anxious  applicants  for  office.  Mad- 
ame de  Bodisco  attracted  all  eyes  by  her  graceful 
movements  in  a  cotillion  with  Mrs.  Tyler  and  the  rep- 
resentatives of  Austria,  Prussia,  France  and  Russia. 
Supper  was  announced  at  about  ten,  and  such  a  rush 
and  crush  to  obtain  entrance  was  never  seen  at  a 
Presidential  entertainment ;  not  one-twentieth  of  the 
crowd  obtaining  admission  at  one  time.  Among  the 
distinguished  gentlemen  were  General  Scott,  Commo- 
dore Stewart,  General  Lamar  and  Commodore  Moore 
of  Texas.     Mr.  Dallas  was  there,  carrying  his  white 


364  tylek's  admikistratiox. 

head  about  the  room  at  least  half  a  head  higher  than 
the  average  of  the  crowd,  except  Colonel  William  0. 
Butler  of  Kentucky  and  "long  John  Wcntworth." 
The  beautiful  young  wife  of  President  Tyler  opened 
the  ball  with  Mr.  AVilkins,  after  which  the  gayeties 
of  the  evening  fairly  set  in.  The  sons  of  President 
Tjder  and  their  wives  graced  this  last  grand  party  of 
their  flither's  retiring  administration.  x\mong  other 
belles,  besides  Miss  Tyler,  wxre  Miss  Wilkins,  Miss 
WicklifTe,  Miss  Edwards,  &c.  New  York,  Philadelphia 
and  Boston  were  represented  by  the  presence  of  their 
fashion  and  beauty.  New  York,  it  was  said,  could 
safely  rest  its  claims  upon  Mrs.  John  Tyler  as  head 
of  the  list. 

At  this  ball  Mrs.  Tuley  of  Virginia  was  conspicuous 
and  admired.  Her  dress  was-  elegant,  and  her  orna- 
ments superb  and  in  good  taste.  Her  stately  grace 
and  elegance  of  manner  marked  her  as  an  appropri- 
ate representative  of  the  proud  and  luxurious  "  Old 
Dominion."  She  has  for  years  past  been  extensively 
known  in  the  Northern  as  well  as  Southern  cities; 
but  most  of  her  winters  were  spent  in  Washington, 
where  she  ^vas  the  center  of  a  distinguished  circle. 
Mrs.  Tuley  is  descended  from  a  noted  Roman  Catho- 
lic family,  wdio,  in  company  with  Lord  Baltimore,  came 
from  England,  settling  the  colony  of  Maryland  under 
the  grant  issued  by  Charles  I.  in  1632.  She  was  twice 
married.  Her  first  husband  was  Dr.  Jackson  of  the 
United  States  army.  She  afterwards  married  Colonel 
Tuley  of  Virginia.  Their  magnificent  estate,  known 
as  "  Tuleyries,"  in  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  was 
one  of  the  finest  and  most  valuable  in  the  State.    The 


THE  NEW 


WTORK     I 


^ 


TMIE   ]PM]S  SI1I])E:KXS   BMIIDE. 

(  M  R  S  .  J  .  T  Y  L  E  R  i 


MRS.  TULEY    OF    VIRGINIA.  367 

mansion  was  large  and  elegant,  the  park  very  exten- 
sive, and  stocked  with  elk,  deer  and  smaller  game ; 
extensive  fields  stretched  beyond,  forming  one  of  the 
model  plantations  of  the  Southern  country.  The  tra- 
ditions of  Virginia  hospitality  were  well  observed  by 
Colonel  and  Mrs.  Tuley,  and  their  generous  and  ele- 
gant style  of  living  made  their  house  a  delightful 
resort  to  a  large  circle  of  friends,  among  whom  were 
numbered  the  most  prominent  statesmen  of  the  day 
and  distinguished  foreigners,  among  them  m^any  of 
high  rank. 

This  ball  formed  an  era  in  Washington  society.    It 
was  succeeded  by  a  party  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Wilkins, 
the  Secretary  of  War. 
23 


XIII. 

POLK'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Progress  of  tbc  rrcsident  elect  to  AVashington — Mrs.  Polk  and  Mrs. 
Knox  Walker — Visit  to  President  Tyler — The  Inauguration — Mrs. 
Tyler's  last  Keception — Inauguration  Balls — Grace  and  Dignity  of 
Mrs.  Polk  in  receiving  at  the  White  House — Mr.  Dallas — An  "  April 
Fool  "  Joke — Curious  Habits  of  Mr.  Fox — Spring  Evenings  at  the 
President's — Mrs.  Abraham  Van  Buren — The  May  Balls — Madame 
Pageot's  Graduation  of  Aristocracy — Prominent  Statesmen — The 
Wisconsin  Office-seeker — Louis  McLane — Mrs.  Polk's  Elegance  of 
Dress  and  Manner — George  Bancroft — Jimmy  Maher's  Opinion  of 
Mr.  Polk  and  the  Ladies — The  Pottawattamies — Mrs.  Maury's  In- 
troduction at  the  Court — Descriptions  of  Mr.  Polk  and  the  prom- 
inent Statesmen  of  the  Period — Conversation  with  Calhoun  about 
the  Union — Visit  to  Mr.  Clay — A  populous  New  Year's  Procession 
—  General  Cass  and  other  Orators — The  Misses  Sloman — The  Hero 
of  Chippewa — Death  of  John  Quincy  Adams  and  Dixon  H.  Lewis. 

The  progress  of  the  President  elect  up  the  Ohio  on 
his  way  to  Washington,  was  a  triumphal  one.  At 
Louisville  he  took  passage  for  Cincinnati,  escorted  to 
the  hoat  by  military  companies.  He  appeared  in  good 
health  and  spirits,  dressed  in  a  suit  of  black  broad- 
cloth, and  wearing  a  black  cloth  cloak  with  velvet 
collar.  He  took  off  his  hat  in  receiving  the  cheers 
and  congratulations  of  the  people,  though  the  day 
vas  piercingly  cold.  Mrs.  Polk  stood  in  the  center 
of  the  ladies'  saloon,  wearing  a  purple  silk  velvet  hat 
trimmed  with  satin  ribbon,  striped  with  broad  reddish 


PKOGnESS    OF    THE    NEW    PRESIDENT.  369 

purple  stripes,  Avitli  a  large  black  silk  velvet  cloak 
Avith  cape  bordered  with  fringe  and  tassels.  She  held 
in  her  hand  a  rich  bouquet  of  flowers,  and  conversed 
with  easy,  animated  manner  with  a  circle  of  gentle- 
men gathered  round  her. 

Previously  to  commencing  the  journey,  it  was  said 
that  Mr.  Polk  had  visited  the  Hermitage,  to  have  a 
private  and  confidential  conversation  with  General 
Jackson,  and  to  receive  the  old  patriot's  parting  ben- 
ediction. The  General  at  that  time  was  a  prisoner 
in  his  room  from  bad  health.  His  last  vote  had  been 
given  for  Mr.  Polk.  The  family  of  Mr.  Polk  consisted, 
besides  his  wife,  of  his  nephew  and  adopted  son,  and 
another  nephew  who  was  his  private  secretary — Mr. 
Walker.  An  ovation  awaited  the  President  at  all  the 
towns  and  villages  on  his  route,  and  at  Cincinnati  he 
was  received  with  unbounded  enthusiasm.  At  Wheel- 
ing "Young  Hickory" — as  he  was  called, — had  simi- 
lar demonstrations  of  welcome.  Among  the  fash- 
ionable ladies  there  presented  to  him  was  Mrs.  Shan- 
non, the  beautiful  and  accomplished  wife  of  Wilson 
Shannon,  American  Minister  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 
She  was  tastefully  dressed,  and  her  dark  hair  hung 
in  rich  curls  about  her  snowy  neck.  Mrs.  Johnson 
accompanied  Mrs.  Shannon.  When  the  reception  w^as 
over,  dinner  was  served,  and  the  President's  carriage 
was  brought  out,  of  polished  dark  olive,  with  gilt  bor- 
ders around  the  panel  work;  four  splendid  horses  be- 
ing harnessed  to  it.  The  cushions  inside  were  covered 
with  richly  figured  crimson  cloth,  ornamented  with 
lace  trimmings;  with  blue  and  red  figured  heavy  cur- 
tains.   The  President  entered  with  Mr.  Stevenson;  Mrs. 


370  folk's  administration. 

Polk  following,  escorted  by  Colonel  J.  Knox  Walker. 
The  second  carriage  contained  the  Kentucky  delega- 
tion ;  the  third  that  of  Louisiana ;  the  fourth,  Ten- 
nessee gentlemen.  A  band  of  music  played,  and  the 
carriages  moved  off  to  cross  the  Alleghanies.  Near 
a  town  in  Pennsylvania  they  were  met  by  a  deputa- 
tion in  two  carriages,  which  fell  into  the  train,  while  a 
large  company  of  mounted  men  brought  up  the  rear. 
As  they  wheeled  in  front  of  a  large  seminary  for  la- 
dies, a  hundred  young  girls  rushed  to  the  doors  and 
windows,  weaving  their  handkerchiefs  to  greet  the 
new  Chief  Magistrate.  At  Harper's  Ferry  there  was 
a  scene  of  crowding  and  cheering  that  beggared  de- 
.scription.  At  a  hurried  dinner,  while  Mrs.  Polk's  ser- 
vant woman  w^as  seated  at  a  side  table,  several  in- 
quisitive young  ladies  asked  her  how  many  servants 
Mrs.  Polk  brought  with  her;  and  being  told  "only 
one,"  expressed  their  shallow  surprise.  "  I  thought 
she  w^ould  have  had  half  a  dozen." 

The  ladies  pressed  around  for  introductions  to  Mrs. 
Polk,  who  received  them  with  ease,  grace,  and  unaf- 
fected simplicity.  At  the  Relay  House,  after  leaving 
Frederick  City,  a  thousand  persons  had  come  up  in  a 
chartered  train  to  meet  the  President ;  and  he  was 
received  with  shouts  "  loud  enough  to  have  prostrated 
the  walls  of  a  cathedral ;  a  cannon  joining  its  roar  to 
the  general  clatter."  A  lawyer  made  an  address  in  a 
perfectly  inaudible  voice,  and  the  President's  reply 
w^as  given  in  concert  with  the  squealing  of  two  or 
three  steam-whistles,  and  a  Babel  uproar  of  human 
voices.  When  the  cars  came  in  sight  of  Washington, 
a  cannon  was  seen  to  blaze  away  in  the  darkness  from 


ynE   TWO   PRESIDENTS.  371 

Capitol  Hill.  Fireworks  were  displayed,  and  a  torch- 
light procession  moved  along  in  awful  pomp.  Before 
the  hotel  the  crowd  was  so  tremendous,  Governor 
Polk  had  to  be  lifted  or  passed  in  through  a  window. 
The  President  elect  and  Mrs.  Polk,  accompanied  by 
Vice-President  Dallas,  ex-President  Lamar  of  Texas, 
General  Ward,  Judge  Woodward,  and  others,  visited 
the  White  House,  to  pay  their  respects  to  President 
Tyler  and  Mrs.  Tyler.  Mrs.  and  Miss  Gardiner,  Miss 
Tyler,  and  Robert  and  John  Tyler,  were  present,  and 
the  courtesy  and  good-feeling  evinced  on  both  sides 
rendered  the  interview  most  agreeable. 

On  the  first  day  of  March,  1845,  President  Tyler 
sio-ned  the  resolutions  concernino:  the  admission  of 
Texas.  In  the  same  week  Iowa  and  Florida  were  ad- 
mitted as  States,  increasing  the  number  to  twenty- 
nine.  The  same  evenino-  Mr.  Tvler  f2:ave  a  errand  cab- 
inet  supper  at  which  Colonel  Polk  was  a  guest.  For 
the  inauguration  a  grand  semi-circular  platform  was 
erected  in  front  of  and  fitting  on  to  the  portico.  The 
semi-circular  projection  had  a  raised  platform  at  its 
extreme  point,  on  which  the  President  was  to  stand, 
with  Chief  Justice  Taney  to  receive  the  oath  of  office, 
visible  to  the  vast  multitude  in  front  and  on  the  right 
and  left. 

The  retiring  President  appointed  the  afternoon  of 
the  3d  of  March  to  receive  his  friends  at  the  White 
House  for  the  last  time. 

Mrs.  Tyler  looked  beautiful  in  a  neat  dress  of  black, 
with  light  black  bonnet  and  veil.  Several,  as  they 
took  Mr.  Tyler  by  the  hand  in  farewell,  shed  tears ; 
while  he  stood  calm  and  collected,  receiving  all  who 


372  folk's  administration^. 

appiofiched  him  with  cordiality  and  politeness.  About 
live  o'clock,  Cfcncral  Van  Ness  delivered  an  address 
expressive  of  the  regret  felt  by  his  fellow-citizens  at 
the  parting.  The  President  made  a  brief,  happy  and 
grateful  reply. 

The  largest  crowd  ever  assembled  in  Washington 
to  witness  an  inauguration.,  thronged  the  grounds  and 
capitol,  at  the  delivery  of  Mr.  Polk's  address.  Chief 
Justice  Taney  officiated.  The  number  w^as  estimated 
at  thirty  thousand.  President  Polk  immediately  sent 
in  to  the  Senate  the  names  of  his  official  advisers  as 
selected  by  him;  Senator  Buchanan  as  Secretary  of 
State;  Senator  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury; 
George  Bancroft,  of  the  Navy;  Governor  Marcy,  of 
War;  John  Y.  Mason  as  Attorney-General,  and  Cave 
Johnson  as  Postmaster-General.  All  were  confirmed 
but  that  of  Mr.  Bancroft. 

The  President  and  his  w^ife  received  visitors  at  the 
White  House  the  day  following  the  inauguration. 
Mrs.  Polk's  ease,  grace  and  simple  dignity,  combined 
with  the  evidence  of  an  amiable  and  cheerful  dispo- 
sition, won  universal  admiration. 

The  inauguration  day  w\as  a  wet  one.  No  carnages 
were  allowed  to  enter  the  grounds  or  square  of  the 
capitol.  This  of  course  excluded  all  the  carriages  of 
the  foreign  ministers ;  they  had  to  alight  at  the  en- 
trance, and  having  no  umbrellas,  had  to  walk  nearly 
a  hundred  yards  through  the  rain  in  gold  lace  and 
cocked  hats. 

A  mono;  the  ladies  observed  of  all  bachelors  at  the 
ball,  were  Miss  Ward  and  Miss  Kitchie.  "  The  Don 
Giovainii  of  the  a^-e,  the  hero  of  the  sea  and  the  v/est- 


MR.    DALLAS.  373 

erii  ^vaters,  the  ruling  spirit  of  the  stormy  democratic 
elements  of  the  redoubtable  Empire  Club — Captain 
Isaiah  Rjnders" — was  also  there.  When  the  new 
President  and  Mrs.  Polk,  appeared  accompanied  by 
Senator  Woodbury,  the  dancing  was  discontinued, 
while  they  walked  up  between  the  divided  crowd, 
and  the  ladies  craned  their  necks  to  get  a  view  of 
the  w^ife  of  the  President.  They  were  conducted  to 
a  raised  divan,  and  the  dancing  w^as  resumed. 

'-  Mr.  Dallas,"  said  a  letter  v/riter,  "  is  tall,  straight 
and  dignified,  with  hair  almost  as  white  as  snow,  hang- 
ing over  his  coat-collar.  He  is  beyond  the  meridian 
of  life,  yet  is  active  and  buoyant  as  one  of  forty-five. 
In  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow-citizens,  nothing  can 
be  more  kind,  conciliating  and  gentlemanly.  There 
is  nothing  of  that  hauteur  about  him  frequently  seen 
in  the  conduct  of  men  elect'ed  to  offices  of  importance 
and  responsibility;  all  who  approach  him  receive  at 
his  hands  that  attention  which  the  man  of  breeding 
alone  knows  how  to  give.  Mr.  Dallas  is  one  of  the 
most  popular  of  men ;  popular  because  of  his  win- 
nincr  and  attractive  manner.  No  one  who  has  had 
a  single  interview  with  him,  can  efface  the  strong 
impression  of  regard  for  the  man  which  it  leaves 
behind." 

Before  this  tim.e  '-  female  influence  "  had  begun  to 
be  developed,  on  behalf  of  the  occupants  of  and 
the  seekers  after  office.  Application  was  made  for 
the  widow  of  Senator  Linn,  to  be  created  postmistress 
at  St.  Louis.  It  was  said  that  Senator  Benton  was 
opposed  to  her  claim ;  though  the  idea  of  placing 
ladies   in   clerkships  and   offices   of   trust  was  daily 


f>t 


'4  folk's  admixistratiox. 


gaining  ground.  General  Jackson's  intercession  in 
favor  of  Mrs.  Linn  with  *^  Young  Hickory,"  decided 
the  question  of  the  post-office  in  her  favor. 

In  April  Mr.  Buchanan  left  Washington ;  it  was 
said  to  escort  his  nieces  and  housekeeper  to  the  capi- 
tal, to  take  charge  of  his  newly  formed  domestic  es- 
tablishment. A  cruel  April  fool  joke  was  played  upon 
n  number  of  the  department  clerks,  several  of  whom 
in  the  morning  found  lying  on  their  desks  neatly 
folded  notes  intimating  that  their  services  were  no 
longer  required.  Seized  with  consternation,  they  re- 
paired to  their  chief's  room  with  pale  and  anxious 
faces,  to  learn  that  it  was  "  all  fool's  day."  The  office- 
seekers  w^ere  served  with  notes  signed  by  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury,  requesting  each  to  call  at  the 
Treasury  department  on  the  following  morning.  Such 
a  gathering  as  there  was!  each  armed  w^ith  his  note, 
with  roused  expectation  and  smiling  face,  wondering 
if  the  office  to  be  tendered  would  be  worth  his  accept- 
ance. What  frowns  and  scowls,  clenched  hands  and 
compressed  lips,  followed  the  discovery  that  they  had 
been  befooled ! 

One  of  the  notable  social  incidents  w\as  a  wedding 
at  the  house  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  wdien 
liis  sister-in-law,  Miss  Bache,  was  married  to  a  son  of 
Colonel  Abert's  the  head  of  one  of  the  bureaus. 
Charles  James  Fox,  the  late  British  minister,  w^as  still 
in  Washington.  He  seemed  to  keep  up  the  custom 
of  turning  day  into  night ;  being  only  seen  in  the 
streets  about  sunset.  It  was  siiid  he  once  wrote  from 
Italy  to  Lord  Byron  that  he  Avas  "  so  changed  by  sick- 
ness, his  oldest  creditor  would  not  know  him."     His 


PRESIDENTIAL    RECEPTIONS.  375 

appearance  at  this  period  was  singular  enough  to  pre- 
vent the  possibihty  of  his  being  forgotten.  At  this 
time  cabinet  councils  were  held  at  the  White  House 
at  eleven  on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays. 
On  Mondays,  Wednesday's  and  Fridays  the  President 
was  accessible  to  the  public  from  twelve  to  three  in 
the  afternoon.  The  mansion  was  open  to  the  public 
on  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Saturday  evenings  at  eight; 
the  President  and  Mrs.  Polk,  heads  of  departments, 
&c.,  being  usually  present. 

Mrs.  Polk  was  assisted  in  her  social  duties  by  Mrs. 
Walker,  the  wife  of  the  private  secretary  of  the  Pres- 
ident. She  was  a  strikingly  beautiful  woman ;  lively, 
pleasant  and  captivating.  At  these  receptions  the 
old  stagers  in  politics  and  office-seeking  walked  boldly 
in,  flimiliarly  seized  and  shook  the  President's  hand, 
and  immediately  whispered  some  profound  secret  into 
his  ear ;  which  meant  that  an  office  was  wanted. 
Then  came  the  officials  and  gentlemen,  who  paid  their 
respects  and  moved  aside  to  allow  the  President  to 
converse  with  strangers.  There  were  a  number  of 
the  substantial  yeomen  of  the  country,  wdio  came  to 
see  and  shake  hands  with  the  man  they  had  helped  to 
place  in  his  position.  Some  were  bashful,  and  to  them 
Mr.  Polk  kindl}^  advanced.  The  Secretary  of  State,  Mr. 
Buchanan,  was  stationed  in  the  center  of  the  room, 
where  he  was  continually  surrounded  by  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  Among  those  to  whom  he  was  most  at- 
tentive, was  Mrs.  Abraham  Yan  Buren,  formerly  Miss 
Singleton,  of  South  Carolina,  an  accomplished  and 
charming^  woman.  There  was  the  sao-acious  lookinfy 
Postmaster-General,  Cave  Johnson,  with  his  wife  and 


376  folk's  administratiox. 

daugliter;  and  there  ^vas  Amos  Kendall,  the  white- 
headed  seer,  with  his  keen  eye  and  aquiline  nose. 
There,  too,  was  Major  Hobbie,  the  first  Assistant  Post- 
master-General, with  his  daughter,  who  clung  to  his 
arm  like  a  frightened  fawn.  There  was  the  Spanish 
minister  and  his  wife  and  sister-in-law,  a  tall  dark- 
haired  and  dark-eyed  lady.  Mr.  Pakenham  was  there ; 
^*he  has  a  thoroughly  English  look,  though  he  is  far 
from  booking  the  wily  diplomat,  which  character  is 
generally  attributed  to  the  statesmen  of  the  mother 
country.  He  has  far  more  of  the  frank  John  BuUism 
which  is  characteristic  of  the  people  of  England,  and 
is  more  like  a  republican  and  democrat  than  a  royal- 
ist and  an  aristocrat."  There  were  also  Mr.  Bancroft, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  his  wife ;  and  Mr. 
Haight,  formerly  consul  to  Antwerp ;  Mr.  Markoe,  the 
able  Secretary  of  the  American  Institute ;  General 
Gibbs  McNiel,  the  celebrated  engineer;  Governor 
Gibbs  of  Khode  Island,  and  a  host  of  others.  Mr. 
Eitchie  was  then  sixty-nine,  tall,  thin,  of  a  spare  and 
rather  bent  form,  an  attenuated  face  like  Amos  Ken- 
dall's, but  better  looking.  His  manner  was  affable 
and  frank.  As  the  head  of  "The  Enquirer,"  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  dictate  to  his  party  in  Virginia. 

"  The  redoubtable  Chevalier  Wikoff"  was  at  this 
time  in  Washington,  in  the  goodly  keeping  of  the 
equally  celebrated  Beau  Hickman.  This  latter  indi- 
vidual usually  wore  a  fine  mustache,  a  hat  of  the 
latest  Parisian  style ;  a  black  frock-coat,  venerable 
and  respectable,  sometimes  buttoned  up  to  the  chin 
when  the  thermometer  ranged  between  90°  and  95°. 

A  May  ball  was  given  on  the  6th  at  the  assembly 


THE   MAY   BALL — A   WEDDING.  377 

rooms  by  Mr.  Labbe,  whose  pupils  were  the  children 
of  the  aristocracy  of  the  capital.  The  queen  was  Miss 
Yioletta  Carroll,  a  descendant  or  relative  of  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carroll  ton.  Her  maids  of  honor  were  Miss 
Randall  and  Miss  Keyworth. 

Madame  Pageot  professed  to  be  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  ton^  and  was  said  to  have  been  the  first  to 
graduate  the  aristocracy  of  the  capital  according  to 
the  salaries  received  from  government.  Cave  John- 
8on,  with  his  wife  and  daughters,  v>'ere  at  the  party, 
he  appearing  heartily  delighted  to  witness  the  pranks 
of  the  juveniles,  and  smiling  and  laughing  till  his  face 
shone  and  glistened,  Mr.  Bancroft  averred  solemnly 
that  his  wife  would  despise  him  if  he  did  not  or  would 
not  admire  the  beautiful  women  present,  Mrs.  Walker, 
the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was  con- 
spicuous; and  so  was  Mrs.  Knox  Walker,  with  her 
husband  and  little  daughter.  The  company  was  bril- 
liant indeed,  notwithstanding  a  degree  of  stiffness  and 
restraint  growing  out  of  division  into  cliques. 

Another  marriage  was  that  of  Dr.  Clymer  of  the 
navy,  to  the  daughter  of  the  gallant  Captain  Shubrick. 
It  took  place  at  the  residence  of  the 'Commodore,  near 
the  President's.  Fcnnimore  Cooper  and  his  two  daugh- 
ters were  present.  The  novelist  had  dedicated  several 
of  his  works  to  Captain  Shubrick,  on  account  of  a  long- 
existing  friendship.  Hon.  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll  officiated 
as  the  friend  of  the  brideirroom. 

On  the  9 til  of  May,  the  concourse  at  the  President's 
gardens  was  large.  Fanciful  flower-beds,  gravel  walks, 
groups  of  trees  and  artificial  knolls  presented  varied 
beauty,  and  the  company  was  lively;  but  the  absence 


378 

of  the  President  was  noticed.  People  talked  of  how 
General  Harrison  had  won  the  affection  of  friends  and 
foes  hy  the  simplicity  and  republican  familiarity  of 
his  manners,  and  how  one  morning;  he  bousrht  in  mar- 
ket  a  milch  cow  of  a  countryman.  The  man  thought 
"Old  Tip"  merely  a  plain  citizen,  and  chattered  away 
without  reserve.  ^^  Old  Tip"  invited  him  to  go  home 
with  him  to  breakfast;  the  stranger  assented,  and 
walked  side  by  side  with  his  companion  till  they  came 
to  the  "White  House.  When  they  turned  in  at  the  gate 
of  the  mansion,  the  countryman  was  struck  dumb,  and 
fell  back  in  consternation.  Then  he  began  to  apolo- 
gize to  the  President  for  his  familiarity.  '-  Never 
mind,"  cried  Harrison;  ^-you  arc  a  man,  and  so 
am  I.  You  are  one  of  the  people,  and  I  am  their 
servant,  and  their  tenant  in  this  house.  I  shall 
therefore  regard  it  as  an  honor  to  have  one  of  my 
landlords  as  my  guest."  The  countryman  went  in- 
side the  gate  a  strong  Van  Buren  man ;  he  came 
out  with  the  strongest  conviction  that  '-'Old  Tip" 
was  a  democrat. 

Alexander  Porter,  the  Senator  from  Louisiana,  was 
an  emigrant  from  Ireland,  but  loved  his  adopted 
country.  He  died  in  1844,  after  his  second  election. 
John  Forsyth,  like  Crawford,  was  a  Virginian  by  birth, 
Georgian  by  citizenship,  and  eminent  in  his  day.  He 
was  minister  to  Spain  and  Secretar^^  of  State  under 
the  administration  of  Jackson  and  Van  Buren.  He 
had  all  the  requisites  for  keen  debate ;  ready  elocu- 
tion, argument  and  wit ;  quick  and  clear  perception, 
perfect  self-possession,  great  power  to  point  a  sarcasm 
and  to  sting  courteously.     In -social  life  his  manners 


Ft.    M,    WniTXEY — PICNIC    PARTIES.  370 

were  rcfmcd  and  polite,  affable  and  dignified.  He 
died  about  184 5. 

The  history  of  Reuben  M.  Whitney,  who  died  in 
May,  1845,  was  known  as  one  of  singular  transition 
from  princely  power  to  hopeless  helplessness.  During 
the  administration  of  Yan  Buren.  he  was  the  great 
comptroller  of  the  pet  bank  system,  with  immeasur- 
able power  and  influence ;  a  name  more  potent  than 
that  of  any  other  man  in  the  country.  When  the 
pet  banks  went  down,  his  power  w^as  extinguished, 
and  he  became  suddenly  an  obscure  politician.  Taken 
up  by  President  Tyler  and  provided  with  a  secondary 
post  in  the  Treasury  department,  he  was  necessarily 
expelled  on  the  advent  of  Polk's  administration.  He 
was  turned  out  a  poor  man,  afflicted  with  a  mortal 
disease;  and  from  the  day  of  his  expulsion  he  lay 
down  never  to  rise  again.  His  native  energy  de- 
serted him;  destitution  stared  him  in  the  face,  and 
death  may  have  been  a  welcome  relief  to  him.  His 
wife,  at  one  time  courted  as  the  cynosure  of  fashion, 
elegance  and  refinement,  was  left  alone  with  her 
family. 

The  leafy  month  of  June  opened  with  excursions 
and  sailing  parties.  The  President  and  Mrs.  Polk, 
accompanied  by  Mrs.  Madison,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ban- 
croft, Mr,  and  Mrs.  Mason,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marcy,  and 
the  Marshal  of  the  District,  General  Hunter,  went  on 
a  picnic  to  Mount  Yernon,  Mrs.  Polk  having  never 
before  visited  the  tomb  of  Washington.  Picnics  to 
Arlington  House,  the  hospitable  residence  of  George 
Washington  Parke  Custis,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Potomac,  were  now  all  the  rage  among  the  fashion- 


380  pole's  administkatiox. 

ables.  The  hot  ^veather  furnished  no  other  amuse- 
ment. 

A  gentleman  from  Wisconsm,  an  important  office- 
seeker,  called  at  the  Treasury  department  to  see  Mr. 
Walker ;  and  found  a  largo  number  already  waiting 
in  the  anteroom.  After  waiting  half  an  hour,  he  ex- 
claimed :  ''  Look  here,  door-keeper,  ain't  you  gwine 
to  let  me  in  to  my  friend  Bob  Walker,  without  any 
more  fuss  V  "Can't  do  it,  sir,  till  your  turn  comes." 
"Turn!"  (walking  up  and  down  the  hall).  "Here  I 
come  all  the  way  from  Wisconsin  territory,  (taking 
from  his  coat  pocket  a  parcel  of  letters)  recommended 
by  General  Dodge — there's  his  letter;  and  the  young 
governor — there's  hizzen ;  and  by" — repeating  a  num- 
ber of  names.  "  Well,  I  can't  stand  this,  w^aiter.  Look 
here,  stranger  !  Jest  tell  the  Secretary,  before  I'll  wait 
here  all  day  to  rret  into  that  door  when  my  turn  comes, 

I'll  see  him ."     And  the  young  giant  from 

Wisconsin  departed  in  a  rage. 

The  news  of  General  Jackson's  death  draped  the 
capital  in  mourning.  The  departments  were  all  closed, 
and  their  doors  were  hung  with  crape.  The  capitol 
was  shut  up  and  the  courts  adjourned.  Due  funeral 
rites  were  prepared  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  the 
old  Hero  of  the  Hermitage. 

Hon.  Louis  McLane  of  Maryland,  went  as  minister 
to  England.  His  history  as  a  politician  show^ed  his 
ability  to  fill  the  office  ;  and  it  was  thought  the  State 
of  Maryland  would  feel  the  honor  of  the  appointment. 
Mr.  McLane  was  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  came  into 
Congress  in  1817,  remaining  ten  j^ears  in  the  lower 
House,  and  two  in  the  Senate,  till  appointed  by  Gen- 


DPtESS    OF    MR.   AND    MRS.    POLK.  381 

oml  Jackson,  in  1820,  minister  to  England.  On  the 
breaking  up  of  the  first  cabinet  he  was  recalled  from 
London  and  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Afterwards  succeeding  Mr.  Livingston  as  Secretary  of 
State,  he  resigned  that  office  in  1834,  on  account  of 
a  difference  of  opinion  with  the  Executive.  For  eight 
years  he  was  the  President  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Eailroad  Company.  At  this  time  he  was  about  sixty, 
and  conservative  in  politics.  It  was  understood  that 
Mr.  Everett  would  await  his  arrival  in  London. 

'-  Mrs.  Polk,"  said  a  letter  writer,  "  dresses  in  a  style 
rich  yet  chaste,  and  becoming  her 'person,  character 
and  position.  Her  husband  is  so  spare  that,  if  his 
clothes  were  made  to  fit,  he  would  be  but  the  merest 
tangible  fraction  of  a  President.  He  has  them,  there- 
fore, especially  his  coat,  some  two  or  three  sizes  large. 
We  think  a  visit  to  the  salt  water,  Piney  Point,  Old 
Point,  or  any  other  point  convenient  for  sea-bathing, 
salt  crabs  and  oysters,  would  be  a  great  help  to  him. 
We  want  him  to  live  out  his  term,  and  go  home  to 
Tennessee,  at  the  expiration  of  a  successful  adminis- 
tration, in  health  of  body  and  mind." 

The  insufferable  heat  of  the  weather  as  July  ad- 
vanced, the  threatening  aspect  of  affairs — a  war  with 
Mexico  assuming  the  shape  of  an  unavoidable  contin- 
gency— and  the  necessity  of  an  extra  session  of  Con- 
gress, were  indeed  exhausting  to  mental  and  physical 
nature.  The  White  House  at  this  time  was  undergo- 
ing repairs,  and  its  first  floor  redolent  of  villanous 
smells  of  white  lead  and  oil-cloths.  Mrs.  Bache,  mother- 
in-law  of  Mr.  Irwin,  Charge  at  Copenhagen,  was  about 
sailing  for  Europe. 


382 

At  the  White  House  evening  reception  the  14th 
November,  there  were  only  seventy-three  persons, 
while  as  nsual,  Mrs.  Polk,  elegantly  dressed,  kind,  fli- 
miliar,  and  simple  in  her  manners,  gained  the  good 
will  of  every  one.  Mr.  Polk,  tired  and  teased  half  to 
death,  preserved  his  equanimity,  courtesy,  and  pa- 
tience, in  a  wonderful  manner.  It  was  known  that 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  cutting  off  from  his  sleep  the 
liours  lost,  to  make  up  the  amount  of  time  which  he 
felt  belonged  to  the  nation.  He  rose  at  daylight  and 
took  an  early  walk,  followed  by  an  early  breakfast. 
Then  he  worked  till  twelve  ;  gave  audiences  till  two ; 
took  dinner  early,  and  worked  afterwards  till  late  at 
night.  He  was  known  frequently  to  pass  most  of  the 
night  in  reading  papers  of  no  importance  except  to 
some  applicant  for  an  insignificant  office  ;  for  he  would 
not  make  an  appointment  without  being  mformed  of 
all  the  facts  in  the  case.  He  was  said  to  be  the  first 
President  except  Washington,  who  observed  this  rule. 
"  Society  in  Washington,"  said  a  satirist,  "  is  much  hi- 
debted  to  the  President  for  bringing  on  with  him  a 
number  of  young  fellows  from  Tennessee,  giving 
them  a  chance  to  see  something  of  the  world  with 
offices  to  support  them."  To  his  nephew  who  wanted 
an  office,  he  replied  that  he  liked  him  too  well  to 
gratify  his  wishes  and  see  him  destroyed ;  he  must 
go  back  to  Tennessee  and  work  in  his  profession.  If 
Mr.  Polk  had  any  ambition,  it  was  to  be  loved  and 
esteemed  in  Tennessee.  He  loved  that  State  as  his 
mother;  and  the  wish  near  to  his  heart  was  to  see 
Tennessee  come  out  strongly  democratic  under  his 
administration.      Under  no  circumstances  would  he 


MR.    AND   MRS.    BANCROFT.  383 

again  be  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  anxious  as 
he  was  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  station  faithfully 
and  conscientiously. 

Mr.  Bancroft  was  described  as  "of  the  ordinary 
height,  lightly  made,  ^vith  a  high-toned,  intellectual 
air.  He  can  be  easily  bland  and  kindly  in  his  ad- 
dress, or  as  freezing  as  Greenland."  The  appoint- 
ment of  this  distinguished  scholar  and  historian,  was 
hailed  as  an  honor  paid  to  genius  and  capacity ;  but 
he  hardly  came  up  to  the  standard  of  the  democrats. 
He  made  few  changes  in  the  fifty  clerks  under  his 
control,  though  they  were  all  politically  opposed  to 
him.  Mrs.  Bancroft  was  an  elegant  woman,  with 
great  personal  attractions,  and  a  very  graceful  ad- 
dress. Her  manner  produced  the  impression  of  a 
want  of  warmth,  though  that  may  have  been  due  to 
her  New  Eng^land  habits.  She  was  not  demonstrative 
in  feeling,  though  ready  and  fluent,  and  even  impul- 
sive in  speech.  No  one  could  possibly  be  better 
fitted  for  the  wife  of  a  minister  abroad. 

Drawimr-rooms  were  still  held  at  the  executive 
mansion,  notwithstanding  the  heat  of  the  weather, 
during  the  summer;  but  they  were  thinly  attended, 
and  the  conversation  was  formal  and  affected.  "  The 
President  looks  remarkably  well  this  evening,"  and  "I 
never  saw  Mrs.  Polk  look  better,  more  engaging  and 
youthful" — were  the  stereotyped  phrases.  A  stranger 
in  striped  breeches,  who  gave  his  name  as  Colonel 
Parenthesis  of  Texas,  called  one  day  on  the  President, 
who,  doubtless  expecting  news  from  Colonel  Twiggs 
and  General  Taylor  of  the  army,  ordered  his  admis- 
sion. The  man,  however,  only  came  to  say  he  had 
24 


384  folk's  administratiois'. 

voted  for  Colonel  Polk  at  the  last  election;  that  he  only 
wanted  to  see  who  was  James  K.  Polk,  and  being  sat- 
isfied that  he  was  "nothing  extra,"  bade  him  good 
morning.  Jimmy  Maher's  opinion  of  the  President 
was — "Polk  is  a  nice  man;  an  agreeable  man,  and  a 
rale  republican."  Of  Mrs.  Polk  and  Mrs.  Walker  he 
said:  "They  are  Christian  ladies,  neither  yain  nor 
proud,  though  they  well  might  be ;  they  are  the  la- 
dies that  do  honor  to  the  nation,  sir,  and  ye  can't  help 
but  like  them."  Mrs.  Walker — the  wife  of  the  secre- 
tary— was  a  regular  attendant  of  the  Foundry  Meth- 
odist Church.  If  by  accident  she  came  late,  she  would 
quietly  walk  up  stairs  and  take  her  seat  among  the 
ladies  of  the  choir,  that  she  might  not  disturb  the  ser- 
vices. Modest  and  simple  in  manner,  unaffected  and 
unobtrusive,  without  vanity  and  without  parade,  and 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  of  women  in  conversation, 
she  was  justly  esteemed  a  pattern  to  her  sex.  Mrs. 
Thomas, — Miss  McDowell,  the  niece  of  Colonel  Ben- 
ton and  William  C.  Preston, — had  been  known  ii:i  Wash- 
ington some  years  before  as  a  brilliant  and  accom- 
plished young  lady,  and  was  still  popular.  She  after- 
wards went  to  reside  amons;  her  friends  near  Lex- 
ington,  Virginia. 

Among  the  lady  visitors  to  the  White  House  was  a 
fat  country-woman,  who  said  she  had  heard  of  a  wo- 
man in  Washington  who  had  a  good  kind  of  eye-wa- 
ter, and  thought  the  President,  knowing  everything, 
might  tell  her  Avhere  the  woman  was  to  be  found ;  and 
as  he  had  all  the  Treasury  under  him,  might  give  her 
a  little  money  to  get  the  eye-water,  as  she,  the  ap- 
plicant, did  "want  some  dreadful  bad,  and  no  mistake." 


MR.  clay's  repartee.  385 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Mr.  Bancroft,  it  was  said, 
had  a  way  of  his  own  for  the  reception  of  visitors, 
and  the  selection  of  his  company.  The  following 
letter  embodied  a  rather  extensive  prejudice: 

*'  Any  of  the  epaulettcd  and  gold-laccd  gentry  of  the  army  or  navy 
are  promptly  attended  to,  and  are  not  long  kept  dancing  '  attendance ' 
— but  an  honest  jack  tar  must  quietly  wait  the  pleasure  of  the  high 
functionary,  although  two  minutes  would  sufiBce  to  transact  all  he 
would  wish.  A  sailor  recently  discharged  from  the  frigate  St.  Louis 
has  been  for  three  days  at  the  door  of  the  Secretary,  knocking  for  ad- 
mittance, with  a  check  for  five  years'  pay  in  his  hand  on  the  Exchange 
Bank  of  Virginia,  which  was  refused  to  be  cashed  in  specie  at  the 
bank.  He  had  called  for  the  purpose  of  laying  his  complaint  be- 
fore the  Secretary,  from  day  to  day  for  nearly  a  week,  and  could  not 
get  to  see  him.  Another  sailor  required  the  signature  of  the  Secretary 
to  a  letter,  which  the  duties  of  his  office  required  him  to  sign  ;  yet  the 
poor  fellow  is  kept  waiting  hour  after  hour.  Such  conduct  is  not  al- 
together democratic,  it  must  be  acknowledged!" 

Mr.  Clay,  on  one  occasion,  remarked  to  Mrs.  Polk^ 
that,  although  some  had  expressed  dissatisfaction  with 
the  administration  of  her  husband,  not  one  seemed  to 
have  found  the  least  fault  with  hers.  Mr.  Clay  was 
always  ready  with  a  polite  repartee.  Walking  with 
the  writer  of  this  work,  who  was  leaning  on  his  left 
arm,  at  a  party  at  Senator  Preston's  in  South  Caro- 
lina, Mr,  Preston  said  to  him:  "You  ought  to  give 
the  lady  your  right  arm."  "No!"  was  Mr.  Clay's  re- 
ply: "a  lady  should  always  have  a  gentleman's  left 
arm ;  his  right*  should  be  free  to  defend  her,"  adding 
to  his  companion  in  his  most  gallant  manner:  "I 
shall  always  be  happy  to  use  this  right  arm  in  your 
service." 

The  last  of  October,  the  delegation  of  Pottawata- 
mie  Indians  paid  their  respects  to  President  Polk  in 


386  folk's  administratiox. 

the  presence  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  commis- 
sioner of  Indian  affairs,  and  a  number  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  The  Indians  were  i:)rcsented  by  Col. 
Elliott,  an  agent  of  their  tribe  for  some  years  past  ; 
and  after  they  had  taken  seats, '*' Half  Day"  arose  and 
thanked  their  "  Great  Father"  on  behalf  of  his  red  chil- 
dren. A  half  breed  interpreter  officiated.  While  wait- 
ing for  the  interview  with  the  President^ the  Indians  had 
reconnoitered  the  White  House,  and  were  delighted 
with  the  great  pier  glasses  of  the  east  room,  in  which 
they  were  reflected  as  large  as  life,  feathers,  paint, 
beads,  medals  and  all,  and  with  the  glittering  chan- 
deliers, etc. ;  but  more  than  all  with  the  fine  j)icture  of 
Washington — their  first  Great  Father — -in  the  eve- 
ning reception  room.  The  delegation  afterwards  paid 
their  respects  to  Col.  Benton,  to  whom  the  stalwart 
Indian  orator,  in  his  speaker's  costume,  made  an  elo- 
quent address.  The  conversation  was  joined  in  by 
the  ladies  of  the  family,  particularly  Mrs.  Fremont, 
v>dio  had  been  much  amonni:  the  Indians  of  the  far 
West.  Her  little  daughter  was  rather  shy  of  the 
chief's  caresses ;  but  Mrs.  Fremont  was  a  special  ob- 
ject of  interest. 

Mrs.  Maury,  an  English  lady,  visited  the  White 
House  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1846,  and  praised 
the  good  conduct  of  the  immense  crowd.  "  The 
democracy  behaved  like  a  lady."  The  visitor  had 
had  no  time  to  deliver  any  letters  of  introduction, 
but  accompanied  by  her  son,  "simply  introduced  my- 
self as  an  English  lady,  without  even  mentioning  my 
name.  '  I  am  delighted,  madam,  to  see  you  here,' 
said  the  President,  shaking  me  cordially  by  the  hand. 


THE    ENGLISH    LADY    IN    WASniNGTOX.  387 

I  then  introduced  my  son,  saying  I  should  hope  to 
see  the  President  again,  ^  At  all  times,  madam,  you 
will  be  most  welcome,'  " 

She  thus  described  Mr,  Polk :  "  The  President  is  of 
low  stature ;  his  address  is  mild  and  perfectly  unas- 
suming ;  the  tones  of  his  voice  are  gentle  and  agreea- 
ble ;  his  forehead  ii^  broad  and  high ;  his  eyes  are 
well  set,  dark  gray,  and  his  mouth  is  expressive  of 
much  firmness.  I  should  think  him  habituallv  f!:rave 
and  thoughtful ;  for,  though  I  have  often  seen  him 
smile,  I  have  never  seen  him  indulge  in  laughter. 
The  President  refuses  a  favor  more  kindly  than  any 
one  I  have  ever  heard  perform  that  most  ungracious 
duty  of  one  in  power.  The  art  of  conferring  a  favor 
is  as  difficult  as  that  of  refusing  it ;  but  the  sagacity 
and  good-feeling  wdiich  called  into  active  service  Sli- 
dell  M'Kenzie  and  the  veteran  Major-General  Gaines, 
iire  proofs  that  the  President  understands  the  one  as 
well  as  the  other." 

At  the  annual  ball  at  "Washington  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  Mrs.  Maury  was 
presented  to  Mr.  Buchanan,  then  Secretary  of  State, 
and  said  of  him :  '-  He  looks  like  an  English  nobleman 
of  thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  when  the  grave  and  dig- 
nified bearing  of  men  in  power  was  regarded  as  an 
essential  attribute  of  their  office.  This  aristocratic 
address  and  manner,  however,  are  natural,  not  ac- 
quired, in  Mr.  Buchanan;  the  result  of  an  elevated 
character  and  urbanity  of  disposition,  united  with  the 
long  practice  of  office  and  the  habit  of  command.  1 
have  never  for  one  instant  seen  the  least  departure 
from  that  perfect   self-possession  which  bestows  so 


388  folk's  administeation. 

peculiar  a  grace  on  him  Avho  can  practise  it,  and 
Avhich  has  ever  so  sinojiihir  an  influence  on  hiin  who 
witnesses  it.  The  fair  and  deHcate,  though  fresh 
complexion  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  his  eye  of  light  blue 
and  full-blooded  system,  attest  unequivocally  his  An- 
glo-Saxon descent.  In  social  life  the  Secretary  of 
State  is  easy  and  hospitable.  In  conversation  he  is 
rather  a  listener  than  a  speaker,  but  he  is  always  in 
advance  of  the  subject  as  it  proceeds. 

"  Governor  AVilliam  H.  Seward  is  a  remarkable  per- 
sonage, and  deserves  peculiar  notice.  His  address 
and  manners  are  very  agreeable,  though  his  voice  is 
guttural  and  uncultivated,  which  possibly  arises  from 
an  absence  of  all  pleasure  in  music;  confessedly  he 
cannot  distinguish  a  chant  from  a  jig.  His  appearance 
is  very  youthful  for  forty-four;  he  is  of  fair  com- 
plexion, and  has  one  peculiarity  of  feature  which  is 
to  me  of  singular  interest.  In  speaking  or  smiling, 
the  upper  lip  has  a  slight  nervous  and  tremulous 
motion  independent  of  its  action  in  articulation. 
This  is  of  course  involuntary,  is  observed  only  in 
men,  and  is  always  accompanied  by  the  most  acute 
sensibilities.  Seward's  is  an  eloquent  nature,  and 
invokes  an  eloquent  interpreter ;  his  words  are  flung 
forth,  simple,  impassioned  and  searching,  fresh  and 
free  as  the  impulses  of  his  breast." 

Of  the  Hon.  William  H.  Haywood,  late  Senator 
from  North  Carolina,  she  said  :  "  Mr.  Haywood  is  a 
man  of  great  elegance.  His  deportment  and  address 
are  very  distinguished,  and  he  is  perfect  in  all  the 
recognized  conventionalisms  of  polished  life.  No  one 
understands  better  how  to  render  social  intercourse 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  389 

agreeable  ;  he  encourages  amusement,  enjoys  conver- 
sation both  grave  and  gaj',  and  his  compliments  are 
always  gratifying,  for  they  are  in  good  taste.  I  should 
imagine  Mr.  Haywood  to  be  descended  from  the  blood 
of  the  cavaliers;  his  handsome  features,  his  scrupulous 
attention  to  dress,  and  the  natural  and  graceful  ease 
of  his  manners,  combined  with  his  chivalrous  devo- 
tion to  the  fair  sex  and  success  in  the  drawing-room, 
all  remind  me  of  the  descriptions  we  have  read  of 
those  high-bred  spirits.  I  quote  him  as  an  admirable 
specimen  of  that  Chesterfield  refinement  and  tact, 
which  are  so  frequently  supposed  by  Europeans  to 
have  as  yet  no  existence  in  America.  His  speech  on 
the  Oregon  question  produced  an  immense  sensation^ 
for  he  was  regarded  as  the  intimate  personal  friend 
of  the  President." 

Mr.  Hugh  White,  a  member  from  New  York,  was 
wont  to  relate  an  incident  which  contributed  to  the 
formation  of  his  character.  He  had  followed  the  plough 
till  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  soon  afterwards  went  on 
foot,  with  his  knapsack,  to  visit  the  Falls  of  Niagara. 
While  he  sat  at  dinner  at  the  hotel,  an  English  gentle- 
man called  out  the  landlord,  and  said  he  would  not  sit 
at  table  with  one  so  rough-looking.  The  host  declined 
interference,  and  the  gentleman  dispatched  his  servant 
to  send  off  the  rustic  intruder.  Mr.  White  rose  to  de- 
fend hhnself,  and  said  to  the  insolent  stranger :  "  I 
know  not,  sir,  whom  I  address  ;  but  the  moment  your 
servant  approaches  me,  I  shall  knock  clown  his  master, 
who  is  responsible  for  the  gross  insult  to  an  honest 
man."  The  sturdy  frame  and  determination  of  the 
rustic  warned  the  ''  gentleman "  to  be  prudent ;   he 


390 

retired  from  the  contest,  and  the  next  morning  apolo- 
gized for  his  rudeness.  The  young  man,  on  his  return 
home,  applied  himself  with  diligence  to  the  improve- 
ment of  his  mind  and  his  fortune,  and  met  with  success. 
The  English  lady  who  dealt  in  couleur-de-rose 
sketches,  described  Abbott  Lawrence  as  "  of  gracefid 
address ;  the  expression  of  his  face  highly  intelligent 
and  amiable,  and  his  features  very  handsome.  His 
language  is  well  chosen,  and  his  ideas  are  always  ex- 
pressed with  clearness.  It  may  be  said  he  has  more 
repose  of  character  than  is  usual  in  the  men  of  Amer- 
ica, for  they  are  the  most  excitable  of  all  nations. 
This  peculiarity  may  perhaps  be  traced  to  his  early 
success  in  life,  and  his  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
the  world.  Ere  he  had  yet  attained  the  meridian  of 
life,  wealth,  honor,  love,  obedience,  troops  of  friends, 
had  waited  on  him.''  The  impression  Mr.  Benton 
produced  was  always  decided  and  abiding.  ^*  His  ac- 
tion and  gesture  are  expressive  ;  his  speech  slow.  In 
personal  appearance  he  has  much  of  the  Englishman  ; 
is  of  a  robust  and  muscular  frame,  somewhat  inclined 
to  corpulency ;  his  features  have  also  more  of  the 
English  than  of  the  American  character  The  ha- 
bitual expression  of  his  countenance  is  calm  and  ele- 
vated. The  forehead  is  very  massive.  He  has  that 
gentle  self-possession  of  manner  usual  among  those 
who  are  conscious  of  superior  strength.  He  possesses 
great  acquirements."  Mr.  Samuel  D.  Hubbard,  a  mem- 
ber from  Connecticut,  was  a  man  '-  who  has  compelled 
me,  against  all  my  prejudices,  against  all  my  sympa- 
thies, to  love,  esteem  and  respect  him.  He  is  a  Puri- 
tan, a  Whig,  a  Protectionist,  and  abhors  slavery;  he 


MliS.  ATAURY's    visit    to    VAX    BUREX.  391 

condemns  dancing ;  I  hop  about  like  a  French  grand- 
mother; he  despises  the  pomps  and  vanities;  while 
I,  alas !  am  their  loving,  faithful  votary.  Surely  no 
man  was  ever  so  maliciously  good  as  this  representa- 
tive of  stern  old  Connecticut." 

Mrs.  Maury  paid  a  visit  to  Mr.  Van  Burcn  in  July, 
184G.  On  arriving  at  Kinderhook,  slie  took  a  (  arriage 
for  Lindenwood,  his  residence,  at  a  distance  from  the 
road,  and  then  shaded  by  the  limes  in  the  luxuriance 
of  summer  foliage.  ''On  ringing  the  bell,  a  gentle- 
man stepped  from  the  parlor  and  advanced  to  receive 
us.  From  the  resemblance  to  his  portraits,  I  immedi- 
ately recognized  the  ex-President.  I  had  received 
my  husband's  command  to  pay  my  respects  to  Mr. 
Van  Buren,  but  I  had  no  letter  of  introduction  except 
one  from  Lord  Aberdeen  to  the  British  minister  in 
Washington :  so  I  presented  it  to  Mr.  Van  Buren,  ob- 
serving that  it  would  certify  that  I  was  not  an  impos- 
tor. The  ex-President  took  me  by  the  hand,  laughed 
heartily  at  my  mode  of  self-introduction,  himself  lifted 
from  the  carriage  my  traveling  band-box,  ordered  the 
driver  home,  and  then  said:  'The  name  you  bear, 
madam,  is  of  itself  a  sufficient  introduction.  Of  course 
you  will  stay  here,  for  it  will  give  us  the  greatest 
pleasure.'  We  sat  down  in  a  cool  and  pleasant  parlor; 
icG^d  w^ater,  lemonade,  and  wine,  wxre  immediately 
presented;  w^e  were  introduced  to  the  flimily,  and  af- 
ter tea  rambled  through  the  garden  and  the  farm. 
The  ex-President  gathered  flowers  for  me,  led  us  to 
look  at  his  potatoes,  presented  me  wutli  a  branch  of 
delicious  red  currants,  and  delighted  me  by  calling 
my  boy  'Doctor,'  and  walking  along  the  fields  with 


392  folk's  administration. 

his  arm  aroimd  the  little  fellow's  neck.  I  could  not 
define  the  charm  this  magician  flings  upon  his  words. 
His  conversation  is  like  a  strain  of  varied  music,  now 
grave,  now  gay ;  now  learned,  now  simple.  He  praises 
the  deserving  of  all  parties  and  all  countries  with  gen- 
erous candor  and  with  discerning  justice;  and  speaks 
of  himself  with  that  unreserved  confidence  which  is 
so  attractive  in  a  distinguished  man." 

"^  Graceful,  gallant,  and  accomplished,  Eobert  C.  Win- 
throp,  is  the  rising  glory  of  the  whigs.  Possessing 
the  prestige  that  naturally  arises  from  gentle  birth 
and  ample  fortune,  this  promising  member  from  Bos- 
ton has  no  interest  to  serve,  no  favor  to  seek."  He 
w\as  the  descendant  of  John  Winthrop,  the  first  gover- 
nor of  Massachusetts,  and  the  founder  of  Boston. 
'-  His  bearing  is  highly  aristocratic.  In  conversation 
the  natural  and  cultivated  resources  of  his  mind  give 
him  great  advantages." 

^'If  3'ou  whigs  make  a  President  in  1848,"  said  an 
accomplished  visitor,  "let  it  be  Judge  M'Lean."  "Do 
not  w^ish  that,"  was  the  reply;  "if  he  were  taken 
aw^ay  from  the  Supreme  Court,  where  is  the  guardian 
of  the  constitution!"  M'Lean  was  Postmaster-Gene- 
ral in  the  opening  administration  of  Jackson,  who 
appointed  him  to  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  in 
1829.  "Judge  M'Lean"  said  Mrs.  Maur}',  "is  remark- 
ably handsome.  He  is  fifty-seven;  of  fair  complex- 
ion, light  blue  eyes,  somewhat  bald,  with  a  fine  pro- 
file; his  expression  is  of  the  noblest  moral  character, 
with  something  of  playfulness.  He  has  a  very  me- 
lodious voice.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church.     The  admirable  head  and  powerful  form  of 


WEBSTER    AND    CHOATE.  393 

Mr.  Webster  make  him  everywhere  conspicuous. 
The  brow  is  ample;  the  eyes  deep  sunk,  dark,  and 
seated  immediately  below  the  strongly  marked  and 
shaggy  eyebrows.  The  features  and  contour  denote 
expressively  the  strength  of  every  mental  fiiculty. 
In  repose  the  countenance  is  absent  and  thoughtful; 
as  if  the  reasoning  powers  were  employed  inwardly,  in- 
dependent of  all  external  objects;  and  then  as  if  the 
mental  exercise  had  resulted  in  undoubted  conviction, 
the  whole  face  becomes  radiant  with  intelligence  and 
animation.  The  contrast  and  transition  of  express- 
ion are  very  fine.  He  is  always  j)repared ;  his  mind 
is  full  charged  Avith  know^ledge,  and  his  information 
is  always  at  hand.  On  one  occasion,  I  was  struck 
with  the  admiration  he  evinced  for  a  brother  advo- 
cate. Rufus  Choate,  of  Boston,  w^as  pleading  in  the 
Supreme  Court  against  a  sister  State  for  Massachu- 
setts. I  have  no  words  to  describe  the  extraordinary 
effort  of  this  remarkable  man.  The  fluency,  rapidity, 
and  beauty  of  his  language,  his  earnest  manners,  his 
excited  action,  his  whole  being  conflicting  with  the 
most  intense  emotion.  He  was  all  nerve ;  each  sense, 
each  faculty  w\as  absorbed  in  the  great  duty  of  the 
day.  Sometimes  it  seemed  that  tears  alone  could 
relieve  the  uncontrollable  agitation  wdiich  thrilled 
through  his  frame,  quivered  on  his  lip,  and  trembled 
in  his  voice.  For  an  instant  he  paused;  then  again 
gushed  forth  his  Avords  clothed  in  each  form  of  argu- 
ment and  persuasion  that  the  reach  of  mind  and 
knowledge  can  suggest.  His  memory  supplied  quo- 
tations learned  and  to  the  point;  his  imagination 
called  each  poetic  fancy  quick  to  his  aid;  his  voice 


394  pole's  administration. 

of  music  attuned  itself  to  all  the  varied  tones  of  his 
discourse,  awakening  in  every  breast  the  sentiments 
and  impressions  of  his  own.  lie  is  the  Proteus  of 
eloquence.  His  study  of  the  Massachusetts  and 
Pihode  Inland  case  must  have  been  most  laborious 
and  profound.  lie  spoke  four  hom\s  on  two  succes- 
sive days.  The  subject  was  magnificent;  the  bound- 
ary line  of  rival  States.  The  Supreme  Court  was 
crowded.  Judge  M'Lean  presided  on  the  bench,  lis- 
tening with  profound  attention  and  graceful  benignity. 
Mr.  AVebster  sat  near  Mr.  Choate,  his  eyes  riveted  on 
the  speaker,  and  his  tine  countenance  expressing  the 
most  eager  interest  and  the  highest  admiration.  I 
was  in  my  favorite  seat  on  the  left  hand  of  the  judges, 
and  close  to  the  desk  at  which  Mr.  Webster  was 
seated.  The  important  subject,  its  learned  and  enthu- 
siastic advocate,  the  benignant  judge,  the  generous 
Webster,  hanging  with  delighted  ear  upon  the  ac- 
cents of  his  gifted  friend — I  shall  never  forget  the 
impression  left  by  those  three  wondrous  men.  Mr. 
Webster  is  sixty-four  or  five,  but  looks  seven  years 
3'Ounger.  In  society  he  is  convivial.  He  can  work 
with  the  severest  application,  and  prepare  for  any 
occasion  with  wonderful  precision  and  rapidity. 
Many  traits  of  his  profound  mind  remind  me  of 
what  I  have  heard  and  read  of  Charles  James  Fox 
of  Encrland." 

Edward  Ilannegan,  Senator  from  Indiana,  ''  is  a  gen- 
uine son  of  the  West ;  ardent,  impulsive  and  un- 
daunted ;  thinking,  acting  and  daring  with  the  most 
perfect  freedom.  His  spirit  is  youthful  and  buoyant, 
and  he  is  ever  samruine  of  success.     When  Mr.  Han- 


THE  SENATOR  FROM  INDIANA.  395 

negan  made  his  speech  on  the  Oregon  question,  he 
alhicled  to  Mr.  Calhoun  in  terms  of  graceful  approval ; 
and,  after  differing  from  the  policy  of  that  Senator, 
spoke  of  his  genius  and  virtues  in  terms  of  manly  and 
generous  eulogy.  I  was  in  the  gallery  ^vith  a  large 
party  of  ladies.  All  were  gratified  with  the  words 
of  praise ;  and  in  the  excitement  of  the  moment  I 
threvr  down  my  glove  to  the  speaker.  The  chival- 
rous Hannegan  instantly  picked  it  up,  pressed  it  to 
his  lips,  looked  gratefully  up  to  the  gallery,  bowed, 
and  placed  it  in  his  bosom.  Next  day  the  glove  was 
sent  by  post,  to  the  wife  of  the  Senator,  then  in  Indi- 
ana. I  preserve  the  less  happy  fellow  to  it.  When 
the  speech  was  ended  and  the  Senate  adjourned,  the 
ladies  went  down  to  the  floor.  I  had  a  careless  trick 
of  leaving  my  purse  upon  the  table  in  my  parlor. 
Mr.  Hannegan,  and  almost  all  Americans,  have  a  frank 
and  ingenuous  habit  of  imparting  advice  gratuitously 
to  those  with  whom  they  are  on  terms  of  intimacy. 
Having  often  found  the  purse  thus  left,  the  Senator 
several  times  in  vain  reminded  me  of  the  indiscretion. 
At  length,  during  an  illness  in  Baltimore,  he  came  to 
see  me.  On  entering  my  parlor,  he  saw  on  the  table, 
as  usual,  the  old  green  purse,  full  of  fivedollar  gold 
pieces.  Upon  my  appearance,  he  held  it  up  ;  and  af- 
ter wishing  me  good  day,  admonished  me  for  the  last 
time.  '  You  pray  that  you  may  not  be  led  into  temp- 
tation ;  do  unto  others  as  you  would  they  should  do 
unto  you.'  T  never  received  a  more  efficient  moral 
lesson.  One  of  the  most  agreeable  evenings  I  spent 
m  Washington,  was  at  an  ice-cream  party  given  by 
Mr.  Hannegan.     This  Senator  was  born  in  Lexington, 


396  pole's    ADMINISTRATION". 

Kentucky,  in  the  atmosphere  of  Henry  Clay.  He 
seems  scarcely  fortj^,  has  brown  hair ;  wears  neither 
beard  nor  whiskers ;  is  of  the  medium  height  and 
broad-shouldered.     His  address  is  very  pleasant." 

John  Quincy  Adams  *•  is  the  representative  of  the 
opinions  and  the  recorder  of  the  events  of  earlier 
days.  Sometimes  the  venerable  statesman  is  at- 
tacked by  a  member  of  the  opposition,  and  then  he 
rises  in  self-defence  with  all  the  indignant  warmth  of 
youth  and  the  consciousness  of  an  integrity  none  can 
gainsay.  When  Mr.  Ehett  of  South  Carolina  made 
some  remarks  on  the  policy  pursued  by  Mr.  Adams 
in  1812,  I  observed  the  emotion  which  gradually  be- 
came evident  in  the  countenance  of  the  patriotic  New 
Englander.  His  cheek  flushed,  his  veins  swelled,  and 
the  fervent  blood  of  tw^enty  summers  rushed  to  his 
temples.  At  length  he  rose,  and  spoke  just  at  the 
moment  when  he  ought.  Governor  Seward  had  fre- 
quently excited  my  anxious  desire  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  Mr.  Adams  wdien,  the  cares  of  the 
day  being  ended,  he  received  the  visits  of  his  friends, 
and  unbent  his  mind  in  social  intercourse.  I  w\as 
much  gratified  wdien  admitted  to  these  '  attic  nights,' 
and  listened  w^ith  delight  to  those  instructive  and  flis- 
cinatintr  lectures,  in  wdiich  learnino:  and  taste  were  so 
eloquently  combined.  Poetry,  painting,  music,  his- 
tory, criticism,  all  in  turn  w^ere  the  themes  of  his  dis- 
course. I  was  amazed  at  the  rang^e  of  knowledi^e 
displayed  by  Mr.  Adams,  and  the  perfect  system  with 
which  it  was  hived  and  stored  for  seasonable  use.  I 
remember  that  Mr.  Adams,  with  singular  frankness, 
declared  that  he  had  never  admired  the  Venus  de 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  397 

Ivlcclicl.  He  gave  the  preference  to  painting  over 
sculpture,  as  being  a  higher  art. 

"  Mr.  Buchanan  and  Mr.  Adams  are  next  door 
neighbors  to  each  other  in  Washington,  and  arc  ex- 
cellent friends.  At  a  ball  given  by  Mr.  Adams,  Mr. 
Buchanan  conducted  me  to  pay  my  respects  to  the 
venerable  host.  The  Secretary  added  that  he  had 
given  directions  to  be  summoned  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  the  moment  Mr.  Adams  should  begin 
his  promised  speech  on  Oregon.  Mrs.  Gouverneur 
reproached  me  playfully  for  not  having  called  upon 
her.  I  replied  that  I  spent  all  day  and  every  day  at 
the  capitol,  hearing  and  seeing  the  distinguished 
men  assembled  there.  ^And  then,' said  she,  laughing, 
^you  will  go  home  to  England  and  write  a  book,  and 
abuse  them  and  all  the  rest  of  the  Americans.' 
^  Never,'  said  Buchanan,  on  vvhose  arm  I  leaned; 
'  never ;  I  answer  for  her.  If  she  puts  jDcn  to  paper, 
it  will  be  to  do  us  justice.'" 

"Mr.  Albert  Gallatin  is  eighty-seven;  and  in  the 
winter  of  1845-G,  when  I  saw  him  in  New  York,  was 
in  the  full  enjoyment  of  excellent  bodily  health  and 
mental  vigor.  In  June  I  had  been  gratified  by  a  long 
interview  with  this  enlightened  and  sagacious  states- 
man. His  piercing  and  original  remarks,  his  shrewd 
criticisms  on  men  and  things,  his  erudition,  his  charm- 
ing raillery,  and  above  all  his  perfect  kindness,  made 
this  visit  delightful.  Mr.  Gallatin  is  by  birth  a  nativo 
of  Switzerland,  and  fled  from  his  country  in  early  life 
on  account  of  his  attachment  to  liberal  principles. 
He  w^as  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  both  Jef- 
erson  and  Madison.     His  appearance  at  this  time  was 


SOS  folk's  administration. 

that  of  a  European ;  ]iis  figure  tall  and  thin,  his 
manner  full  of  vivacity.  His  son  and  grandson  were 
present;  two  gentlemen  waited  upon  him  on  busi- 
ness, and  his  amanuensis  sat  at  his  side.  Finding  him 
occupied,  I  would  have  retired,  but  he  would  on  no 
account  permit  this ;  and  he  proceeded  to  converse 
with  us  all  in  turn  on  affairs  of  amusement  or  busi- 
ness, occasionally  dictating  to  the  amanuensis." 

*•  Amiable,  sensible,  brilliant  and  witt}^,  Charles  J. 
IngersoU  is  charming  at  sixty-three.  That  gentleman 
on  the  Speaker's  left,  dressed  in  the  old  revolutionary 
costume  of  bufl'  and  blue,  is  the  chairman  of  Foreign 
Eelations;  by  reason  of  which  office  he  assumed  the 
responsibilities  of  my  guardian,  and  became  my  al- 
most constant  comj^anion  during  my  residence  in 
WashiuG^ton.  His  character  exhibits  all  the  warm 
uncalculating  sensibilities  of  youth.  Headlong  and 
rash,  three-score  years  and  three  have  failed  to  cool 
that  hot  impetuous  blood  which  dances,  rather  than 
flows  in  his  veins;  but  again  a  silken  cord  can  lead 
him;  can  check  his  haste  and  curb  his  anij^er.  In2:er- 
soil  is  the  wittiest  man  with  whom  I  conversed  in 
America.  x\fter  keeping  him  an  hour  at  a  ball,  dur- 
ing which  time  nobody  asked  me  to  dance,  I  observed 
that  for  his  sake  I  was  sorr\'  I  had  no  offers.  'Madam,' 
he  rejoined,  'I  should  instantly  have  rejiudiated  tlieml 
It  must  be  remarked  that  he  is  the  representative  of 
Pennsylvania.  I  was  accompanied  by  him  to  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan's state  ball,  about  a  week  after  mv  arrival. 
AVe  had  been  in  the  room  half  an  hour,  when  Mr. 
Pakenham,  the  British  minister,  came  up  and  ad- 
dressed to  me  the  courtesies  usual  on  such  occasions. 


MR.  INGERSOLL — GENERAL    GAINES.  399 

He  remained  near  me  some  minutes,  speaking  of  the 
ladies,  their  dress,  beauty,  &c.;  during  this  time  he 
never  once  looked  at  Mr.  Ingersoll,  who  never  looked 
at  him.  I  was  somewhat  embarrassed  at  being  ad- 
dressed by  two  gentlemen  at  the  same  moment  who 
did  not  appear  to  recognize  each  other.  My  position 
at  last  became  so  awkward,  that  I  proceeded  formally 
to  present  them  to  each  other.  They  bowed,  ex- 
changed a  few  passing  words,  and  Mr.  Pakenham 
shortly  after  left  us.  Next  day,  when  I  asked  my 
guardian  if  he  was  upon  terms  with  Mr.  Pakenham, 
he  replied  ^We  have  not  spoken  for  two  years  before 
last  night,  when,  a  lady  being  the  mediator,  w^e  could 
do  no  less.' " 

Of  General  Gaines  she  said :  "  This  gallant  officer 
is  eighty -three ;  he  is  pale  and  white-haired,  tall  and 
emaciated ;  but  his  habits  are  punctual  and  early, 
and  so  strict  is  his  adherence  to  discipline,  that  a  gen- 
tleman told  me,  that  having  heard  General  Gaines 
was  indisposed,  he  went  to  see  him,  and  found  him 
lying  in  bed  with  his  military  collar  on,  and  his  sword 
by  his  side.  He  is  the  mirror  of  courtesy  to  the  fair 
sex,  and  no  gentleman  handles  a  lady's  fan  with 
greater  dexterity  ;  either  sitting  or  standing  he  never 
forgets  to  relieve  her  from  the  task  of  fanning  her- 
self." 

I  In  Mr.  Tyler's  administration,  Calhoun,  the  Secrelrary 
of  State,  was  afterwards  removed  from  the  cabinet. 
^^On  the  occasion  of  his  removal,"  said  Charles  Inger- 
soll, "  Mr.  Calhoun  behaved  like  an  angel.  His  gra- 
cious, princely  nature,  accustomed  to  give  command 

without  appeal,  is  equally  accustomed  to  receive  sub- 
25 


400  folk's  administration. 

mission  without  reserve ;  hence  his  gentleness  and  in- 
dulgence, and  his  compassion;  no  vulgar  upstart  dis- 
play of  authority  is  traced  ;  he  is  served  with  the  per- 
fect love  that  casteth  out  fear.  At  this  advanced  ix^e 
his  appearance  is  unlike  that  of  other  men.  His  action 
is  quick,  and  both  in  society  and  in  the  Senate  very 
expressive.  He  speaks  with  the  utmost  rapidity,  as 
if  no  words  could  convey  his  speed  of  thought ;  his 
face  is  all  intellect,  with  eyes  so  dazzling,  black  and 
piercing,  that  few  can  stand  their  gaze.  Sixty-four 
years  have  left  their  dark  center  yet  undimmed,  and 
the  surrounding  blue  liquid  and  pure  as  the  eye  of 
childhood.  Sometimes  their  intense  look  is  reading 
each  thought  of  your  bosom ;  sometimes  they  are 
beaming  with  the  inspirations  of  his  own.  I  have 
seen  them  suffused  with  emotion,  when  the  feelings 
of  that  ingenuous  breast  have  been  excited  by  honest 
praise,  or  moved  by  sympathy.  Mr.  Calhoun's  gen- 
eral expression  is  that  of  unceasing  mental  activity 
and  great  decision.  His  forehead  is  broad  and  full ; 
a  deep  furrow  extends  quite  acr6ss,  and  above  the 
eyebrows  there  is  considerable  fullness.  His  hair  is 
thick,  long,  straight  and  gray,  and  thrown  back  from 
his  face  ;  the  eyebrows  are  very  near  the  eye,  and  the 
cheek  is  gaunt.  The  mouth  is  thin,  and  somewhat 
inclined  downwards  at  the  corners ;  it  is  the  proud 
and  melancholy  lip  of  Dante.  His  complexion  is 
bronzed  by  the  sun  of  the  south.  Speaking  of  Amer- 
ica, I  once  said  :  ^  Mr.  Calhoun,  you  are  a  great  exper- 
iment.' '  AYe  are  more,'  he  replied, '  we  are  a  great 
hit.'  ^Will  the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific  States  be 
divided  into  separate  republics?'     ^They  cannot  be; 


CALHOUN'S    VIEWS.  401 

tlic  Mississippi,  a  great  inland  sea,  will  keep  tliem 
united.     The  Union  is  indissoluble.' 

"  In  February,  I  asked  :  '  Mr.  Calhoun,  what  is  in  the 
future?'  ^ Peace  and  Free  Trade,'  said  he.  ^I  have 
eif?ht  sons  in  Eno-land,'     ^Brino*  them  all  here.     We 

o  o  o 

are  an  exulting  nation ;  let  them  grow  up  with  the 
country.  Here  they  do  not  want  wealth.  I  would 
not  be  rich  in  America,  for  the  care  of  money  would 
distract  my  mind  from  more  important  concerns,' 
Mr.  Calhoun  thought  ladies  should  always  be  dressed 
in  white,  and  wear  a  girdle.  He  had  great  respect 
for  such  external  forms  as  tend  to  promote  order  and 
dignitj^,  and  I  believe  it  was  he  who  established  the 
rule,  during  his  Vice-Presidency,  that  members  of  the 
Senate  should  be  addressed  as  '  Senators.' " 

"  On  the  morning  after  the  free  trade  measures 
were  carried  in  the  House,  I  saw  Mr.  Calhoun  for  the 
last  time.  After  a  struggle  of  twenty-two  years, 
truth  and  he  had  been  successful;  but  no  personal 
exultation  sparkled  in  his  eye,  or  triumphed  in  his 
w^ords.  The  measure  and  its  great  consequences 
alone  occupied  his  thoughts,  I  remarked :  '  Mr.  Cal- 
houn, you  are  very  dear  to  England,  for  the  sake  of 
this  peace,  and  this  free  trade.'  Twice  he  has  turned 
his  footsteps  aside  from  the  Presidency;  once  for 
friendship's,  once  for  duty's  sake  (upon  the  tariff  of 
1828.)  Never  was  a  man  so  adored  by  his  State  as 
Calhoun.  SSouth  Carolina,'  were  his  words,  ^  alone 
stood  by  me,  mine  she  faithfully  has  ever  been.'  As 
he  hung  upon  her  memory  and  her  devotion,  her 
statesman  evinced  the  tenderness  and  pride  with 
which  a  lover  dwells  upon  the  constancy  of  his  mis- 


402  polk's  administratiox. 

tress.  His  breath  came  quick  and  short;  his  proud 
head  Avas  flung  back,  and  his  voice  was  subdued  by 
emotion." 

In  later  years  visitors  to  Mr.  Clay  at  his  home,  could 
attest  the  truth  of  the  following :  "  Such  as  was 
Geori^e  Washinii^ton  at  Mount  Vernon,  retired  from 
the  scenes  of  public  excitement  and  service,  such  is 
Henry  Clay  at  Ashland.  I  saw  Calhoun  at  Washing- 
ton in  the  early  spring  of  1846,  calm  amidst  the  strife 
and  hurry  of  political  warfare.  I  saw  Henry  Clay 
in  the  May  following  in  Kentucky,  serene  in  '  the 
mild  majesty  of  private  life.'  Clay  and  Calhoun  are 
the  master  spirits  of  America.  Clay's  very  name  is 
a  spell,  and  no  sooner  is  it  heard,  than  all  mankind 
rise  up  to  praise  it. 

^^We  knocked  at  the  door  at  Ashland,  and  were 
saluted  as  old  friends  by  the  faithful  negro  who  opened 
it.  In  a  moment  Mr.  Clay  appeared,  and  with  that 
voice  of  surprising  and  surj^assing  melody,  with  win- 
ning smile  and  open  hands,  tendered  the  courtesies 
of  welcome.  Assisting  me  to  alight,  he  accompanied 
us  to  the  sitting-room,  and  read  the  introductory  let- 
ters I  had  brought  him.  Into  the  garden  we  went, 
and  Mr.  Clay  pointed  out  the  trees  his  own  hands  had 
planted,  cut  for  me  every  flower  I  looked  on,  con- 
ducted me  to  see  his  stock  of  cattle,  and  pointed  out 
his  pets."  He  invited  the  lady  and  her  son  to  accom- 
pany him  and  his  family  the  next  morning  to  the 
Episcopal  church.  "During  the  service,  Mr.  Clay 
leaned  his  face  down  on  his  hands,  which  rested  on 
his  stick,  in  the  attitude  in  which  he  has  been  painted. 
He  almost  constantly  carried  in  his  hand  a  full  blown 


ARCHBISIIOP    HUGHES.  403 

rose,   "with   a  short  stem,  and   frequently  addressed 
himself  to  its  perfumed  cup." 

Clay  was  called,  when  a  stripling,  ^^  The  mill  boy 
of  the  Slashes,"  (a  swamp),  because  he  was  often  seen 
on  the  road  between  his  mother's  house  and  Mrs. 
Darricott's  mill  on  the  Pamunkey  Eiver,  mounted  oh 
a  bag  thrown  across  a  pony  that  was  guided  by  a 
rope  bridle. 

The  Right  Rev.  John  Hughes,  Catholic  Bishop  of 
New  York,  was  called  by  this  lady  ''  the  historical  man 
of  his  day.  He  assumes  his  position  among  the 
statesmen  of  America  as  the  representative,  priest, 
controller  and  guardian,  of  a  powerfid  body  now  in- 
corporated in  the  democracy  of  the  republic;  the 
Roman  Catholics.  He  is  the  greatest  temporal  prince 
in  America,  and  the  greatest  spiritual  prince  in  the 
world."  Though  a  stranger  to  the  faith  of  the  Bishop, 
Mrs.  Maury  formed  an  enduring  friendship  with  him; 
and  he  pledged  his  word,  at  their  parting  hour,  to  be 
near  her  on  her  death-bed,  if  he  still  lived,  and  if 
time  and  distance  could  be  overcome.  "And  the 
Bishop  bade  me  kneel,  and  I  knelt  beside  him;  he 
laid  his  hand  upon  my  head,  and  then  from  his  lips 
gushed  forth,  in  mingled  power  and  beauty,  the  full 
strong  tide  of  human  affection ;  in  accents  strange 
and  now;  for  I  had  dreamed  not  of  the  love  I  had  won 
from  that  exalted  nature;  and  with  faltering  voice  he 
blessed  me  and  my  way,  and  those  I  held  dear,  to  him 
unknown;  and  for  many  minutes  he  was  silent;  but, 
the  vows,  unheard  by  me,  were  accepted  at  the  throne 
of  Him  who  rideth  on  the  whirlwind,  and  who  saith 
unto  the  waters  ^ Peace, — be  still.'" 


404  folk's  administration. 

Mrs.  Maury  had  brought  letters  of  introduction 
from  Lord  Aberdeen,  then  Secretary  of  State  for 
foreign  affairs  in  London,  to  Mr.  Pakenham.  Those 
letters  were  procured  at  the  personal  request  of  Lord 
Sandon,  and  were  in  the  most  favorable  terms.  Mr. 
Pakenham  was  civil  to  his  country-woman  ;  but  as  she 
remarked,  she  required  not  his  services.  "  The  Presi- 
dent himself,  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  every  Amer- 
ican took  care  of  me."  The  only  ambassador  with 
w^hom  she  became  acquainted  was  M.  Serruys,  the 
Belgian  minister,  whom  she  met  at  the  house  of  Gen- 
eral Van  Ness.  And  her  conclusion  was  that  the  time 
had  arrived  when  the  courts  of  Europe  would  find  it 
imperative  upon  them  to  send  to  Washington  their 
most  gifted,  influential  and  popular  statesmen  as  their 
representatives. 

Lieutenant  Matthew  Fontaine  Maury  was  the  princi- 
pal navy  officer  at  the  observatory  at  Georgetown.  He 
was  a  man  of  science,  an  accomplished  mariner,  an 
admirable  astronomer  and  mathematician,  and  wrote 
well. 

Of  Calhoun  a  gifted  authoress  wrote:  "The  cham- 
pion of  free  trade;  a  slaveholder  and  a  cotton  planter; 
the  vindicator  of  State  rights  and  yet  a  firm  believer 
in  the  indestructibility  of  the  Federal  Union;  now 
claimed  as  a  whig,  now  revered  as  a  democrat;  now 
branded  as  a  traitor,  now  worshiped  as  a  patriot; 
now  assailed  as  a  demon,  now  invoked  as  a  demigod; 
.now  withstanding  power  and  now  the  people;  now 
proudly  accepting  office,  now  as  proudly  spurning  it; 
now  goading  the  administration,  now  resisting  it; 
now  counselling,  now  defying  the  executive ;  but  in 


CALHOUN'S    POLITICS.  405 

all  changes  of  circumstances,  all  trials  of  patience,  in 
smiling  or  in  adverse  fortune,  ever  forgetful  of  self, 
and  faithful  only  to  the  inspirations  of  the  genius 
and  the  virtue  of  Avhich  his  name  is  the  symbol.  No 
vice,  no  folly,  no  frailty,  has  soiled  his  nature,  con- 
sumed his  life,  or  extorted  his  remorse;  his  country 
has  been  his  sole  engrossing  passion,  loved  with  the 
devotion  of  a  Brutus,  and  served  with  the  fidelity  of 
a  Regulus.  Politics  may  be  considered  to  have  al- 
m.ost  exclusively  occupied  the  life  of  this  great  states- 
man ;  not  the  sordid  intrigue  of  partisanship,  not  the 
venal  craving  of  place  and  pay;  not  the  debasing 
sacrifice  of  honesty  to  popularity;  his  soul  disdains 
such  base  employment  of  her  fiiculties ;  nay,  I  ques- 
tion if,  with  all  its  keenness,  his  mind  could  com- 
prehend such  schemes  of  politics.  His  are  not  even 
the  tactics  of  a  State  or  section,  nor  alone  those  of 
the  United  States ;  but  they  comprise  those  exalted 
views  which,  deduced  from  philosophy  and  history, 
and  proved  by  practical  experience,  are  found  to  con- 
stitute the  true  policy  of  all  nations,  and  to  be  the 
universal  principles  of  all  righteous  governments. 
They  are  the  decalogue  of  republics.  The  impres- 
sion produced  by  the  single  mind  of  this  man,  by  the 
principles  he  has  advocated,  will  exercise  an  influence 
more  deeply  based  and  more  abiding  upon  the  insti- 
tutions of  the  United  States,  than  any  system  or 
movements  yet  enunciated  from  the  constitution  and 
predicated  upon  its  laws.  He  once  said  to  me:  'I  can- 
not express  the  indifference  with  which  I  regard  the 
Presidential  chair,  compared  to  the  honor  and  useful- 
ness of  establishing  this  great  measure  of  free  trade.'  " 


406  folk's  administration^. 

New  Year  s  day,  1847,  was  a  bright  and  beautiful 
one.  The  executive  mansion  was  crowded  with  a 
populous  procession  for  several  hours.  The  absence 
of  the  Major-General  of  the  army  and  his  staff,  told 
an  eloquent  story,  as  did  the  absence  of  many  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy.  They  were  in  the  South 
fighting  the  Mexicans.  A  welcome  and  inviting  re- 
freshments were  oflered  at  Mr.  Mason's  and  Mr.  Mar- 
cy's ;  at  the  Vice-President's,  at  Mr.  Walkers,  at  Mr. 
Cave  Johnson's,  at  the  Mayor's,  and  at  other  houses. 
The  estimable  widow  of  Major-General  Macomb  re- 
ceived her  visitors  with  several  young  ladies  at  her 
side,  dispensing  cake,  wine  and  cordials,  and  the  best 
wishes  of  the  season.  Her  quiet  and  winning  man- 
ners caused  even  the  stranger  to  feel  the  genial  at- 
mosphere of  home.  Mrs.  Madison  also  received  calls, 
surrounded  by  a  host  of  young  lady  relatives  and 
friends.  She  wore  a  beautiful  white  turban,  and  looked 
regal  as  one  of  the  last  among  the  representatives  of 
the  glory,  chivalry  and  beauty  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
In  the  evening  there  was  a  ball,  with  various  other 
entertainments  and  social  reunions. 

On  the  IGth  January,  1848,  Miss  Sarah  Benton  was 
married  to  Mr.  Jacob,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky.  Miss 
Jacob  had  married  a  son  of  Mr.  Clay,  and  the  flxmily 
Avas  related  to  Colonel  Taylor,  brother  of  the  General. 
Mrs.  Clay  was  a  Hart,  and  Benton's  Christian  name, 
Thomas  Hart,  was  after  the  family,  to  which  he  was 
related.  Henry  Clay  himself  led  the  bride  to  the 
Bupper-room,  and  among  other  guests  were  present 
Mr.  Buchanan,  Mr.  Crittenden,  Mr.  Johnson  of  Lou- 
isiana, and  Mr.  Vinton.     There  had  been  a   coldness 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  407 

between  Benton  and  Clay;  but  this  new  amnesty 
made  a  lasting  bond.  Mr.  Clay  had  his  quarters  at 
the  United  States  hotel,  and  was  waited  on  e\ery  day 
by  large  detachments  of  ladies.  Every  evening  he 
dined  out,  and  every  day  at  twelve  dismissed  his  vis- 
itors to  go  out. 

In  a  debate  in  the  Senate,  General  Cass's  oratory 
was  described  as  "  an  explosion  of  the  fire  of  a  soldier 
and  the  fervor  of  a  patriot.  He  glanced  at  Great 
Britain,  and  with  a  few  strokes  painted  the  vastness 
of  her  empire,  the  graspings  of  her  ambition,  and  the 
subtlety  of  her  intrigues."  Not  a  Senator  heard  the 
appeal  "  without  a  feeling  either  of  exultation  or 
anger,  wdiich  could  not  be  repressed,  and  the  gal- 
leries showed  many  a  fair  face  flushed  with  excite- 
ment." Mr.  Mangum,  Senator  from  North  Carolina, 
rose  in  reply,  and  a  brief  notice  of  his  oratory  will  be 
interestinsr.  "From  the  moment  he  first  took  the 
floor,  he  trembled  with  excitement,  and  his  eyes 
flashed  with  indiscnation.  He  srathered  imao:es  of 
power  and  occasional  beauty,  and  his  earnestness 
made  the  chamber  feel  what  he  himself  evidently 
felt  so  deeply.  His  violation  of  the  rules  of  courtesy 
towards  his  gallant  and  generous  antagonist  nearly 
lost  for  him  the  sympathy  of  the  House,  and  this  bad 
move  tipped  his  dish  over.  Senator  Allen  rose  on 
his  heels  like  a  thunderbolt.  His  lean  cheek  was  hot 
with  fire.  It  was  a  masterly  eflbrt,  and  he  carried 
the  House  with  him.  Mr.  Mangum  writhed  under 
every  thrust.  Twice  he  rose  to  explain,  and  twice 
the  Buckeye  came  on  again,  hurling  a  deadlier  blow 
than  before.     If  Mr.  Allen  had  raore  of  the  stern  iron 


408  folk's  administPvAtiox. 

self-control  of  the  great  orator,  he  would  be  one  of 
the  best  speakers  in  the  country.  Allen's  was  a  stir- 
ring, powerful,  convincing,  logical  appeal." 

The  grand  fashionable  season  opened  the  last  week 
in  December  with  the  first  assembly  at  Carusi's  saloon. 
Four  of  these  parties  were  announced  for  the  session. 
The  music,  dancing,  assemblage  and  suppers  were 
superb  and  satisflictory.  A  concert  given  by  Mr. 
Sloman  and  his  two  accomplished  daughters  was  the 
delight  of  a  full  audience  of  the  elite.  Those  young 
ladies  also  played  the  harp  and  piano  and  sang  at  a 
private  party  given  at  the  President's  mansion.  The 
new  chaplain  of  the  House,  Mr.  Milburn,  was  nearly 
blind  and  very  poor.  His  manner  and  voice  were 
agreeable,  his  emphasis  and  modulations  pleasing,  and 
he  did  credit  to  his  position.  It  w^as  said  Mrs.  Linn, 
the  widow  of  the  Senator  from  Missouri,  had  induced 
him  to  try  his  chance  for  the  chaplaincy,  and  her 
recommendation  had  acted  like  a  charm  in  his  favor. 
The  President  continued  a  faithful  attendant  at  Mr. 
Sprole's  Presbyterian  church,  w^here,  in  all  weathers, 
his  carriage  might  be  seen  at  eleven.  Mrs.  Polk 
would  not  permit  dancing  in  the  White  House. 

A  bill  passed  the  Senate  toward  the  close  of  De- 
cember, for  the  payment  to  the  widow  of  Alexander 
Hamilton,  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  on  the  delivery 
by  her  to  the  librarian  of  Congress,  of  the  manuscripts 
of  her  deceased  husband,  and  five  hundred  printed 
copies  of  the  same  bound  in  leather.  There  were  five 
volumes,  each  to  consist  of  five  hundred  pages.  The 
arrival  of  General  Sam.  Houston  from  Texas,  created 
a  great  sensation.     "He  stands  erect  as  a  Norway 


GENERAL    SAM.  HOUSTON.  400 

pine ;  but  is  sadly  changed  from  the  splendid  man  of 
fifteen  years  ago.  He  was  dressed  in  a  suit  of  gray, 
frock  coat  with  metal  buttons,  and  appeared  remark- 
ably fresh  and  vigorous  after  his  long  journey.  His 
partial  baldness  added  to  the  commanding  impressive- 
ness  of  his  remarkable  countenance."  Since  the  last 
inauguration  General  Scott  had  been  a  prominent  as- 
pirant of  the  whigs  for  the  campaign  of  1848.  lie 
had  been  endorsed  by  Henry  Clay,  his  friends  had 
multiplied,  his  competitors  had  yielded,  and  he  seemed 
to  be  regarded  generally  as  the  successor  to  the  for- 
tunes of  the  great  Harry.  Thus  he  was  courted, 
flattered,  and  caressed  by  the  politicians,  and  needed 
only  to  remain  in  Washington.  When  the  war  opened 
with  Mexico,  the  hero  of  Chippewa  was  appointed  to 
head  the  army  of  occupation  in  the  South.  But  his 
letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War  protested  against  as- 
suming the  command  of  the  Southern  army,  for  vari- 
ous reasons  given.  The  Secretary  of  War,  in  the 
name  of  the  President,  reprimanded  the  Commanding 
General  for  his  undignified  letter  of  complaints  and 
insinuations. 

'^  The  fact  of  Mr.  Clav  and  Mr.  Polk  dinino;  toc^ether 
at  the  White  House,  was  significant  and  astonishing. 
Mr.  Polk  laid  aside  his  usual  reserve  and  entertained 
his  distinguished  guest  as  a  friend  long  absent.  Wash- 
ington was  gay  with  parties  and  balls  this  season, 
till  the  death  and  funeral  of  the  great  and  good  ex- 
President,  John  Quincy  Adams,  occupied  all  minds 
towards  the  last  of  February.  Public  business  was 
suspended,  colors  were  flying  everywhere  at  half-mast, 
and  a  general  gloom  pervaded  the  city.     Thousands 


410  folk's  administration. 

of  eager  spectators  thronged  the  capitol  on  the  25th, 
%vhere  the  body  of  the  ilkistrious  deceased  reposed 
in  a  splendid  coffin.  The  President  gave  orders  that 
all  the  executive  offices  should  be  placed  in  mourning, 
and  all  business  suspended  for  two  days.  In  announc- 
ing to  the  Senate  the  death  of  Mr.  Adams,  Mr.  Ben- 
ton said :  ''  Mr.  Adams  has  just  sunk  down  in  his 
chair,  and  has  been  carried  into  an  adjoining  room, 
and  may  be  at  this  moment  passing  from  the  earth, 
mider  the  roof  that  covers  us,  and  almost  in  our  pres- 
ence." The  Senate  immediately  adjourned,  and  all  in- 
quiries were  directed  to  the  condition  of  the  stricken 
Statesman.  He  had  been  removed  to  the  Speaker's 
room,  where  he  slightly  recovered  the  use  of  his 
speech,  and  uttered  in  faltering  accents :  "  This  is  the 
hist  of  earth ;"  and  soon  after,  "I  am  composed."  He 
lingered  tw^o  days  ;  passing  away  at  octogenarian  age, 
hung  over  in  his  last  moments  by  her  who  had  been 
for  more  than  fifty  years  the  worthy  partner  of  his 
life.  Mr.  Webster  was  suffering  from  domestic  afflic- 
tion, the  death  of  a  son  and  daughter,  and  could  not 
speak  at  the  funeral. 

Alexander  Barrow,  Senator  from  Louisiana,  died 
about  1848,  He  had  a  noble  heart,  with  honor,  cour- 
age and  patriotism;  and  a  quick,  clear  and  strong 
judgment.  He  was  in  the  hope  and  prime  of  man- 
hood, and  time  was  ripening  and  maturing  his  facul- 
ties. The  death  of  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  Senator  from 
Alabama,  had  occurred  in  October.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  able  and  accomplished  members  of  the  Sen- 
ate, and  in  Alabama  he  attained  a  popularity  such  as 
no  other  man  in  the  State  enjoyed. 


XIY. 

TAYLOR'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Character  of  General  Taylor — Mrs.  Taylor— Their  Children— Residence 
at  Baton  Rouge— Meeting  of  Taylor  and  Clay— The  Rush  of  Office- 
Seekers  to  the  New  Orleans  Tailor  to  put  their  Petitions  in  "  Old 
Zach's  "  Pockets — Setting  out  of  the  Ladies  for  Washington — Prog- 
ress of  the  President  Elect — Afoul  of  a  Snag — Landing  and  Rustic 
Reception — Accident  onboard  a  Steamboat — President  Polk's  last 
Levee — Amusing  Visit  of  General  Cass  to  President  Taylor — Ilis 
personal  Appearance — Ladies  of  his  Party — Inauguration  Ceremo- 
fiies — Comical  Description  of  the  Ball — The  Cabinet — Death  of  Gen- 
eral Gaines — Return  of  Henry  Clay — The  Osage  Indians  at  the 
White  House  and  at  their  Hotel — Senator  Fremont — Amusing  Scene 
in  the  Senate — Sir  Henry  Lytton  Bulwer — Death  of  Mr.  Calhoun — 
Death  of  President  Taylor — His  Obsequies — His  Career. 

Zachart  Taylor,  in  1810,  married  Margaret  Smith 
of  Maryland.  He  was  an  unexceptionable  father  and 
husband.  His  temper  was  calm,  firm  and  cool,  yet 
amiable  and  gentle.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  an  exemplary 
woman.  Sunple  and  unassuming  in  her  manners,  she 
was  courteous  and  kind  to  her  dependents,  and  affec- 
tionate and  confidinor  to  her  friends  and  relatives. 
Two  daughters,  and  a  son  of  this  worthy  couple  were 
living.  One  daughter  had  married  Colonel  Jefferson 
Davis,  against  the  wishes  of  her  father,  who  for  years 
did  not  exchange  a  word  with  her  husband.  At  the 
siege  of  Monterey  however,  chance  placed  the  two 
men  close  together  and  the  opportunity  was  seized  by 


412  Taylor's  administration. 

Colonel  Davis  to  restore  good-feeling  by  satisfactory 
explanations.  Mrs.  Davis  had  been  dead  for  some 
years  at  this  time.  The  other  daughter,  familiarly 
called  "Miss  Betty,"  was  a  beautiful  girl,  and  well 
fitted  to  grace  the  White  House  by  her  presidency. 
She  was  soon  after  married  to  Colonel  Bliss,  who  was 
almost  a  regular  inmate  of  General  Taylor's  house. 
Another  living^  daucrhter  was  married  to  Dr.  Wood 
and  resided  in  Baltimore.  When  the  subject  of  Gen- 
eral Taylor's  call  to  the  Presidency  was  first  agitated, 
Mrs,  Taylor  was  very  much  opposed  to  it.  A  short 
time  after  his  nomination  by  the  whig  convention  in 
Philadelphia,  his  political  friends  wrote  to  urge  him 
to  visit  the  North ;  but  he  refused,  saying  he  would 
not  "go  across  yon  ferry,  to  influence  the  public 
choice,  or  to  secure  my  election.  I  have  never  as- 
pired to  the  Presidency;  if  the  people  elect  me  of 
their  own  free  choice,  my  humble  services  will  be  at 
their  disposal.  If  they  elect  some  other  candidate,  I 
shall  not  be  in  the  slif!:htest  dei>:ree  mortified." 

Baton  Rouge,  his  place  of  residence,  was  said  to  be 
intensely  dull.  The  only  thing  of  moment  that  had 
taken  place  for  a  long  time,  was  the  appearance  of 
cholera;  its  ravages  and  disappearance  causing  some 
excitement,  which  saved  many  from  dying  of  ennui. 
The  General  was  accustomed  to  walk  about  like  a  re- 
spectable farmer,  and  was  anything  but  a  "  lion."  His 
unassuming  manners  and  singular  simplicity  of  habits, 
wxre  marked  traits  in  his  character ;  and  in  the  town 
his  name  was  never  mentioned  in  connection  with 
politics,  nor  even  at  the  garrison  unless  in  reference 
to  military  affairs.    He  could  not  have  been  more  un- 


GENERAL    TAYLOR    AXD    MR.    CLAY.  413 

noticed  were  he  the  defeated  instead  of  the  victorious 
candidate  for  the  Presidency.  Mr.  Clay  on  his  way 
to  New  Orleans  from  Natchez,  touched  at  Baton  Rouire 
and  an  interview  took  place  on  the  evening  of  the 
11th  January,  1849.  General  Taylor  happened  to  be 
on  the  wharf  boat  at  the  time  the  vessel  approached 
in  which  Mr.  Clay  was  a  passenger.  Their  greeting 
was  cordial.  Clay  did  not  remain  at  Baton  Rouge, 
nor  WMs  he  invited  to  do  so.  At  the  meeting :  "Why, 
General,"  pleasantly  remarked  Mr.  Clay,  "you  have 
grown  out  of  my  recollection."  "You  can  never 
grow  out  of  mine,"  was  the  ready  response  of  the 
General,  whose  face  beamed  with  pleasure  and  who 
was  unaffectedly  delighted  to  see  the  great  statesman. 
"I  congratulate  you.  General,  upon  your  election  to 
the  Presidency,  and  I  hope  your  administration  may 
be  as  successful  and  glorious  as  your  military  career," 
said  Mr.  Clay.  "I  thank  you,  Mr.  Clay;  but  I  am  not 
President  yet;  and "  As  General  Taylor  mod- 
estly hesitated,  Mr.  Clay  broke  in  with  some  playful 
remark,  which  led  to  an  agreeable  conversation.  The 
captain  of  the  "Princess,"  not  wishing  to  interrupt  so 
pleasant  a  reunion,  detained  the  steamboat  some  time. 
The  General  and  Mr.  Clay  parted  with  expressions 
of  mutual  esteem,  and  a  hope  that  they  might  soon 
meet  again.  The  great  orator  at  this  time  had  grown 
thinner,  but  did  not  look  older  than  when,  a  year  be- 
fore, he  had  participated  in  New  Orleans  with  the  cit- 
izens in  celebrating  the  victories  in  Mexico. 

Colonel  Bliss,  the  General's  son-in-law,  was  to  go 
to  the  North  by  the  Atlantic  route  at  the  same  time 
the  President  elect  went  by  land,  stopping  a  few  days 


414  Taylor's  administration. 

in  New  York.  He  was  a  quiet,  modest  and  unpre- 
tending man;  endowed  with  a  high  order  of  intellect, 
and  a  line  literary  taste.  Mrs.  Bliss  w^as  amiable  and 
dignified  ;  an  excellent  young  matron ;  not  dashing, 
nor  dazzling  in  beauty,  but  gifted  with  the  more  es- 
timable qualities  of  good  sense,  intellect  and  feeling. 
It  was  arrano-ed  that  the  New  Orleans  steamer 
should  call  at  General  Taylor's  plantation,  and  take 
him  to  Vicksburg.  Several  citizens  of  New  Orleans 
were  invited  to  accompany  him  to  Washington.  It 
was  said  that  a  foshionable  tailor  of  the  Crescent 
City,  having  an  order  to  make  two  suits  of  clothes 
for  the  General,  there  was  a  rush  of  well  dressed 
gentlemen  to  the  shop,  all  earnestly  requesting  to 
be  allowed  to  look  at  the  clothes,  and  particularly  to 
examine  the  insides  of  the  pockets.  The  shrewd 
tailor,  suspecting  their  object  to  be  office-seeking, 
told  them  they  might  put  their  letters  into  the 
j)0ckets  of  the  suits,  but  he  should  require  fifty  dol- 
lars each  for  the  letters  in  the  pantaloons  pocket, 
thirty  for  those  in  the  coat  pocket,  and  twenty  for 
those  in  the  vest  pockets.  Mrs.  Taylor,  with  Colonel 
Bliss  and  Mrs.  Bliss,  Major  Hunter  and  Mrs.  Hunter, 
went  from  New  Orleans  to  Mobile,  and  there  took 
passage  for  Montgomery,  on  their  way  to  Washing- 
ton. The  family  was  to  spend  a  month  or  six  weeks 
in  Baltimore  with  Colonel  Taylor,  a  brother  of  the 
General,  and  Mrs.  Wood,  the  daughter.  The  suite 
of  the  President  elect  was  very  limited.  At  Baton 
Rouge  his  personal  friends  assembled  for  the  purpose 
of  bidding  him  adieu,  and  went  in  procession  to  his 
residence,  when  addresses  were  interchanged.    His  sub- 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  ELECT.     415 

sequent  movements  were  telegraphed  to  the  people : 
how  he  reached  Cincinnati;  how  he  ascended  the 
crests  of  the  Alleghanies  and  descended  them,  etc. 
Crowds  followed  him  wherever  he  appeared,  and  on 
every  public  occasion  he  took  care  to  assume  the 
position  he  had  taken  in  his  letters  before  the  elec- 
tion,— that  he  did  not  expect  to  be  the  President  of 
a  party.  At  Louisville  the  streets  were  thronged ; 
the  doors  and  windows  w^ere  filled  with  spectators, 
and  the  American  flag  and  white  handkerchiefs  were 
w^aved  by  fair  hands  in  enthusiastic  w^elcome. 

Going  up  the  Mississippi,  the  steamer  on  which 
General  Taylor  was  a  passenger,  ran  foul  of  a  snag,  and 
sustained  so  much  damage  the  passengers  thought  it 
best  to  go  ashore  for  awhile.  General  Taylor  and 
others  got  into  a  small  skiff,  to  land ;  a  drunken  fel- 
low jumped  in  after  him,  and  stood  up  in  the  frail 
craft  so  as  to  endanger  it.  ^'Sit  down,  my  good  man," 
said  the  General,  "sit  down,"  but  the  fellow,  instead 
of  obeying,  began  backing  the  skiff  under  the  guards 
of  the  steamer  and  across  her  lines.  The  General 
lost  patience,  and  exclaimed:  "Sit  down,  you  drunken 
rascal,  or  I'll  throw  you  overboard ! "  This  threat 
brought  the  fellow  to  anchor  in  quick  time.  Men, 
women  and  children  were  collected  on  the  shore,  and 
the  General  had  to  go  through  the  kissing  process 
^with  the  feminines,  which  he  did  with  a  good  grace. 
The  "reception-room"  was  illuminated  by  one  "tal- 
low dip,"  just  enough  to  make  darkness  visible.  A 
countryman  came  up  to  enquire  of  one  of  General 
Taylor's  suite  if  he  ever  drank  brandy;  the  whispered 

reply  was:    "He  never  does,  but  his  friends  do;"  and 
20 


416  Taylor's  administration. 

the  black  bottle  was  forthcoming.  Among  other 
curiosities  produced,  was  a  young  Arkansas  '^sucker," 
eight  or  ten  months  old,  presented  by  his  mother. 
The  General  took  his  dimpled  hand,  and  hoped  he 
would  one  day  become  a  General  too;  whereupon 
the  child  was  at  once  dubbed  "the  young  General." 
When  they  embarked  again,  the  cheers  of  the  com- 
pany were  given;  the  voice  of  the  young  General 
sounding  a  full  octave  above  the  rest. 

At  Xashville  his  reception  was  enthusiastic.  The 
whole  city  hailed  his  landing  with  shouts  and  dis- 
charges of  cannon.  At  the  door  of  the  hotel,  as  he 
was  going  out  to  ride,  a  crowd  of  boatmen  came  about 
him,  and  so  blocked  up  the  way  in  trying  to  get  "  a 
look  at  old  Zach,"  that  he  stopped,  and  began  to  ad- 
dress them  in  a  humorous,  off-hand  way.  *•  Ain't  he 
a  boss  ! "  "  He's  one  of  'em  ? "  "  Kentuck  to  the  back 
bone  !"  "He'll  do  !"  «  Three  cheers  for  Old  Zach  !'' 
were  the  exclamations  from  the  rough  honest  men, 
who  had  voted  for  him  and  came  to  look  at  him. 
Through  all  his  jovial  manner,  he  never  parted  with 
the  air  of  military  command  that  always  distin- 
guished him. 

An  old  farmer  and  soldier,  who  had  come  forty 
miles  to  meet  him,  made  his  way  through  the  crowd, 
and  seized  his  hand,  saying :  "  General,  I  have  voted 
nine  times  for  President,  but  never  gave  any  vote 
with  as  hearty  good  will  as  the  vote  I  gave  you.  I 
felt  that  I  was  voting  for  an  honest  man,  who  would 
restore  the  ancient  order  of  things."  "I  belong  to 
the  old  school,"  responded  the  General,  "  and  I  will 
do  my  best."     A  toast  given  at  the  Louisville  dinner 


GENERAL  TAYLOR'S  PROGRESS.        417 

was  as  follows :  "  General  Zachary  Taylor — in  liis 
birth,  a  Virginian ;  in  his  boyhood  and  early  man- 
hood, a  Kentuckian  ;  his  glorious  achievements  vipon 
his  country's  battle-fields  have  made  him  the  common 
property  of  the  nation,  and  his  wisdom  and  virtue 
will  render  him,  as  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  re- 
public, the  benefactor  of  the  world." 

At  Frankfort  General  Taylor  was  received  by  his 
gifted  friend  Governor  Crittenden,  with  a  welcome  in 
the  State  House.  At  supper  in  Madison,  he  proposed 
as  a  toast,  "  The  fair  daughters  of  Indiana."  On  board 
the  boat,  while  he  was  going  through  a  passage,  some 
impediment  tripped  him  and  he  fell  on  his  side  across 
a  trunk,  receiving  a  severe  bruise.  In  Cincinnati  he 
visited  the  ball  given  in  honor  of  his  arrival,  received 
by  the  Cincinnati  Life  Guards  in  military  order.  As 
he  entered  the  room,  the  company  presented  arms; 
and  the  ladies,  abandoning  the  dance,  ran  and  clasped 
him  around  the  neck,  giving  and  receiving  kisses  in 
compliment  to  the  hero  of  many  victorious  battles. 
He  arrived  in  Washington  February  23d.  The  mayor 
of  the  city  received  him.  The  Vice-President,  Millard 
Fillmore,  arrived  the  next  day,  and  was  acknowledged 
to  be  "  one  of  the  finest-looking  men  in  the  United 
States."  The  President  elect  talked  freely  and  fluently 
about  everything  but  the  offices.  On  the  railway  as 
he  came  along,  he  had  been  escorted  by  a  young 
whig,  who  put  in  a  petition  for  himself  for  an  office. 
"I  have  only  one  office,"  replied  the  General,  ^-and 
you  are  welcome  to  it  if  the  people  are  agreed.  Very 
cold  weather  for  the  season,  I  think,  sir."  "  Yes,  but, 
General,  I  have  lost  money  during  the  campaign." 


418  Taylor's  administration. 

'•  Very  sorry,  sir ;  but  do  you  think  it  will  rain  to 
night?"  "Looks  very  much  like  it,  General;  but 
really,  if  I  have  been  too  fast,  I  beg  your  pardon." 
"  Thank  you,  sir,  let  us  all  do  what  we  can  for  the 
country,  and  we  shall  have  no  cause  of  regret. 
Thrifty-looking  country  in  this  neighborhood!" 

Mr.  Polk  o'ave  his  last  levee  in  the  closinix  week  of 
February.  There  was  no  one  in  Washington  who 
did  not  regret  his  and  Mrs.  Polk's  departure.  Mean- 
while, in  every  bar-room,  oyster-cellar,  and  billiard- 
room,  where  speculators  in  offices  abound,  and  at 
every  dinner-table.  General  Taylor's  cabinet  was  the 
standing  dish.  General  Taylor  received  his  visitors 
from  twelve  to  one.  Pie  won  every  one,  whig  or 
democrat,  by  his  unostentatious  bearing  and  kind 
benevolent  manner.  A  stranger  would  hardly  be- 
lieve that  the  plainly  dressed  old  gentleman,  with 
hat  stuck  on  the  back  of  his  head,  and  spectacles 
shoved  up  on  his  forehead,  was  the  President  elect 
of  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Bliss  received  the  ladies 
who  came  to  pay  their  respects,  every  morning. 
General  Cass  arrived,  unheralded  and  scarcely  no- 
ticed. On  the  first  day  of  March,  accompanied  by 
Senator  Fitzgerald,  he  came  to  the  hotel,  and  went 
up  to  General  Taylor's  rooms.  Taylor  at  once  rec- 
ognized him,  and  coming  forward,  grasped  his  hand 
in  both  his  own  and  shook  it  most  cordially.  Gen- 
eral Cass,  who  had  not  at  first  recognized  him,  ob- 
served with  a  drollery  that  caused  every  one  present 
to  laugh  heartily — "By  the  way.  General,  you  had 
the  advantage  of  me  !  That  is  twice  you've  had  the 
advantage  of  me !"    "  That  is  true,"  remarked  Taylor, 


DRESS    AND    APPEARANCE.  421 

^  but  you  know  the  battle  is  not  always  to  the  strong, 
eh!"  "That  is  a  fact,"  replied  Cass,  with  an  em- 
phasis that  renewed  the  laughter.  "How  do  you 
feel,  sir!"  "Pretty  well,  thank  you,  except  that  I 
have  two  or  three  ribs  stove  in,  that's  all.  I  got  on 
board  a  small  boat  at  Madison  to  go  to  Frankfort,  and 
just  as  she  was  about  to  start,  stepped  out  of  the  sa- 
loon, and  stumbled  over  a  large  black  trunk  in  the 
dark  passage.  I  thought  both  my  legs,  my  arms,  and 
all  my  ribs  were  stove  in." 

As  General  Cass  was  retiring,  a  gentleman  met 
him,  and  said :  "  Well,  General,  in  all  the  States  where 
I  stumped  it,  you  got  the  vote."  "  Indeed,"  replied 
Cass,  laughing,  "  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  yoUj 
my  friend,  but — I  wish  you  had  stumped  it  in  two  or 
three  more." 

General  Taylor  usually  dressed  in  black,  and  neat- 
ly, though  without  much  regard  to  taste.  He  was 
thought  by  many  more  portly  than  they  expected  to 
see  him,  and  approaching  more  nearly  what  was 
deemed  the  beau  ideal  of  a  well  fed  alderman.  His 
hair,  white,  and  but  thinly  covering  his  well  formed 
head,  was  allowed  to  straggle  in  all  directions  with- 
out attention  to  military  precision.  He  had  a  uni- 
form reply  when  the  multitude  cheered  him.  "Heaven 
bless  you,  gentlemen;  peace  be  with  you;"  and  to 
the  ladies  who  waved  their  hands  or  handkerchiefs, 
his  stereotyped  phrase  was:  "your  humble  servant, 
ladies."  An  observer  said:  "The  personal  appear- 
ance of  General  Taylor  is  dignified  and  noble.  He  is 
exceedingly  affable  in  his  manners  and  deportment. 
His  dress  j^esterday  consisted  of  a  plain  suit  of  blue> 


422  TAYLOR'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

with  a  pair  of  large  woolen  socks  drawn  over  ms  boots^ 
denoting  that  ho  thinks  more  of  solid  comfort  than 
display.  His  eyes  are  mild,  beautiful  and  brilliant; 
he  has  a  stoop  in  his  gait,  and  his  hair  is  light  gray. 
His  voice  is  soft  and  agreeable.  While  speaking  of 
his  election  to  the  Presidency,  he  said  his  wife  had 
made  a  nightly  prayer  for  several  months,  that  Henry 
Clay  might  be  elected  President  in  his  place."  A 
gentleman  who  had  accompanied  General  Taylor  up 
the  Ohio,  said  that  one  day,  while  they  were  noticing 
a  remarkably  located  log  cabin,  the  General  remarked 
that  if  he  were  to  follow  the  dictates  of  his  heart,  he 
Avould  prefer  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in 
that  cabin,  to  living  four  years  in  the  White  House. 
His  leading  idea  was  that  he  was  really  the  servant 
of  the  American  people. 

Among  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  had  come 
from  Kentucky  with  the  President  elect  were  Colo- 
nel James  Taylor  and  Miss  Taylor  of  Kentucky,  Miss 
Peyton  of  Louisiana,  Mr.  Christy,  Mrs.  Christy,  Miss 
Wickliffe  and  Miss  Johnson,  all  of  Kentucky.  The 
inauguration  ceremonies  took  place  in  the  usual  order, 
as  often  before  described.  About  half-past  one  the  new 
President  was  duly  installed  in  the  executive  palace, 
with  such  a  mass  meeting  gathered  in  front  waiting  for 
admission,  as  is  only  to  be  seen  on  inaugural  occasions. 
The  evening  closed  with  three  balls ;  a  grand  one  on 
Judiciary  Square,  a  military  one  at  Carusi's,  and  one  at 
the  National.  The  first  presented  a  magnificent  scene, 
two-thirds  of  the  dense  crovrd  being  ladies.  The  wax 
lights  displayed  the  sparkling  of  thousands  of  dia- 
monds.    All  the  foreign  legations  were  present,  somo 


INAUGURATION   BALL.  423 

covered  "wltli  orders  and  glittering  with  jewels.  Mad- 
ame de  Bodisco  was  magnificent  in  white  satin  em- 
broidered with  gold;  over  it  a  crimson  velvet  tunic, 
with  train,  also  embroidered  w^ith  gold  and  studded 
with  diamonds.  Her  head-dress  of  crimson  velvet 
blazed  with  jewels.  This  dress  was  said  to  be  the 
one  worn  by  her  when  presented  to  the  Czar.  She 
was  the  only  lady  in  the  room  who  wore  a  court 
dress;  the  others  appearing  in  ball  costume.  The  Rus- 
sian minister's  uniform  was  also  elaborately  splendid. 
A  wag  described  the  scene  :  "  Suddenly  there  was  a 
crash.  ^What's  the  matter?'  Onlv  the  contact  of  a 
lady,  whirled  with  all  the  enthusiasm  which  the  merry 
waltz  and  GungTs  music  combined  inspire,  against  an 
unfortunate  wight  in  the  way.  '  Oh,  my  poor  fan ! 
it's  smashed  to  pieces!'  ^  Dear  me!  there  goes  half 
my  skirt !'  ^  Stop,  sir !  stop  a  moment !  You're  pull- 
ing that  lady's  head  off!'  ^Where's  my  bracelet?' 
'  There  goes  my  bouquet !'  etc.  '  Ain't  it  delightful  ?' 
'  What !  do  you  think  it  too  crowded  V  etc."  At  half- 
past  ten  General  Taylor  entered  leaning  on  the  arm 
of  the  Mayor,  and  bowed  on  each  side  till  he  reached 
the  platform  at  the  end  of  the  room.  When  Mr. 
Buchanan  presented  a  number  of  ladies,  the  President 
remarked,  "Ah,  Mr.  Buchanan,  you  always  pick  out 
the  prettiest  ladies."  "  Why,  the  truth  is,"  was  the 
reply,  "  I  know  that  your  taste  and  mine  agree  in 
that  respect."  Then  the  veteran  said  :  "  I  have  been 
so  long  among  Indians  and  Mexicans,  I  hardly  know 
how  to  behave  myself,  surrounded  by  so  many  lovely 
women !"  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Bliss  also  visited  the  ball- 
room.   The  crowd  and  heat  were  intolerable,  and  some 


424  Taylor's  administration. 

of  the  men  seemed  trying  to  take  a  wax  cast  o.  their 
coats,  under  the  perpetual  stream  from  the  candles. 

General  Taylor  had  counted  on  Mr.  Crittenden  as 
a  member  of  his  cabinet,  having  the  utmost  confi- 
dence in  his  counsel ;  but  Mr.  Crittenden  declined 
office.  Of  Mr.  Crawford,  the  Secretary  of  War,  no 
mention  had  been  made  before  his  elevation  to  that 
office.  Mr.  Clayton,  the  Secretary  of  State,  had  been 
identified  closely  within  the  last  two  years,  with  the 
most  ultra  policy  of  the  whig  party.  It  was  said  that 
he  entertained  the  design  of  building  up  a  republican 
party  to  supersede  the  present  organization,  based  on 
principles  more  in  consonance  wuth  the  advancing 
spirit  of  the  age.  Pie  was  an  able  man,  of  popular 
manners,  wuth  great  political  experience.  Mr.  Mere- 
dith possessed  great  talent,  and  there  was  every  rea- 
son to  believe  he  w^ould  be  the  ruling  spirit  of  the 
cabinet.  His  was  a  ripe,  clear  and  vigorous  intellect ; 
with  a  fascinating  address,  and  a  freshness  of  charac- 
ter preserved  by  few  who  are  long  connected  with 
party  politics.  He  had  all  the  attributes  of  mind  and 
manner  calculated  to  give  him  ascendency  in  the  cab- 
inet. Mr.  Preston,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  had 
been  a  respectable  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. Mr.  Ewinii:  was  a  man  of  the  stron^rest 
party  ties,  very  intolerant,  and  a  decided  advocate  of 
proscription.  Mr.  Johnson,  Attorney-General,  was  a 
very  sharp,  shrewd  lawyer,  better  suited  to  his  office 
than  the  Senate.  The  main  strength  of  the  adminis- 
tration, amid  these  discordant  members,  w^as  in  Gen- 
eral Taylor  himself j  while  he  avowedly  knew  little 
of  public  affairs. 


CHANGES    IN    PUBLIC    AGENTS.  425 

A  change  was  announced,  to  be  made  in  the  pub- 
lic agents  abroad ;  ministers,  charges,  attaches,  com- 
missioners and  consuls.  A  primary  consideration  with 
the  cabinet  was  the  appointment  of  men  competent 
to  maintain  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the  United 
States  among  European  nations,  without  involving 
the  country  in  the  war  which  then  menaced  the  con- 
tinent. William  C.  Rives,  who  had  been  American 
Plenipotentiary  at  Paris  under  General  Jackson,  w^as 
spoken  of  for  the  same  mission.  He  was  one  of  the 
ablest  statesmen  in  the  country,  and  well  fitted  from 
his  experience,  high  talent,  and  extensive  informa- 
tion, to  sustain  the  character  of  the  government  in 
any  appointment.  Not  the  least  of  his  recommenda- 
tions to  the  French  government,  was  found  in  his  at- 
tractive appearance,  address,  and  manners ;  he  being 
admitted,  even  in  the  Old  Dominion,  to  be  as  perfect 
a  gentleman  as  one  of  the  ancient  cavaliers.  Mr. 
Abbott  Lawrence  had  been  mentioned  with  reference 
to  a  mission  to  England.  The  news  of  the  death  of 
Major-General  Gaines  brought  sadness  to  many  hearts. 
Soon  followed  the  official  announcement  of  the  death 
of  James  K.  Polk.  The  President  ordered  the  depart- 
ments placed  in  mourning,  and  appropriate  honors 
were  paid  to  the  memory  of  the  ex-President. 

In  the  absence  of  Congress  and  in  the  heats  of 
summer  Washington  presented  a  curious  aspect, 
dried  up  like  a  river  dependent  on  the  spring  rains. 
In  utter  stagnation  it  awaited  the  return  of  Congress, 
and  the  strangers  which  December  brought  back  to 
the  hotels  and  boarding-houses.  The  gossip  was 
freshened  by  a  strange  rumor  that  M.  de  Bodisco  had 


426  Taylor's  administratioj^". 

been  exiled  to  Siberia  by  the  Emperor  of  Eussia.  It 
brought  his  beautiful  and  magnificent  wife  on  the 
avenue  to  contradict  the  report.  The  arrival  of  Henry 
Cla}',  in  November,  was  an  agreeable  piece  of  intelli- 
gence. It  was  said  that  a  wedding  in  Philadelphia  in 
part  accounted  for  the  presence  of  the  sage  of  Ash- 
land. The  parties  were  Mr.  Becket  and  Miss  Bayard. 
After  having  recovered  from  the  cholera,  and  being 
bruised  by  the  upsetting  of  a  stage  near  Cumberland, 
the  immortal  Harry  came  again,  not  as  an  old  man  of 
seventy-two,  bent,  decrepit  and  trembling,  but  with 
form  erect,  in  the  vigor  of  middle  age,  w^ith  the  be- 
w^itching  smile  still  playing  about  the  corners  of  his 
capacious  mouth ;  the  hat  still  slightly  cocked,  the 
shirt-collar  still  erect ;  in  short,  the  Harry  Clay  of 
1826.  Many  thought  he  would  grow  fresher  and 
stronger  till  nominated  for  the  Presidency  in  1852. 

When  the  President's  house  was  again  thrown  open 
to  the  public,  late  in  November,  it  was  found  that 
the  east  room  was  newly  carpeted  and  re-decorated, 
and  illumined  by  gas  jets  from  splendid  chandeliers. 
Before  ten,  the  delegation  of  six  Osage  Indians,  who 
had  been  several  weeks  in  Washington,  came  in  to 
bid  farewell  to  their  Great  Father.  They  had  been 
quartered  at  the  Western  Hotel,  wdiere  their  King 
lay  part  of  the  time  covered  in  a  bed  on  the  floor,  his 
legs  stuck  against  the  mantel-piece,  and  a  pipe  in  his 
mouth,  while  the  others  sang  and  accompanied  them- 
selves with  hollow  gourds  having  gravel  inside,  or 
squatted  before  the  fire  unincumbered  with  clothing 
except  the  breech-cloth.  The  commissioner  of  Indian 
affairs  had  them  dressed  like  white  men,  but  getting 


MR.  AND   MRS.  FREMOXT.  427 

tired  of  the  harness,  they  took  it  off  before  night,  and 
caught  cold.  At  the  President's  levee  they  had  their 
broadcloth  dress  trimmed  at  the  seams  with  lace,  and 
wore  cocked  hats. 

Senator  John  C.  Fremont  was  much  talked  of  as 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of  the  day,  his  life 
having  been  a  highly  romantic  piece  of  personal 
history.  A  few  years  before,  he  had  come  to  Wash- 
ington from  South  Carolina,  having  received  an  ap- 
pointment in  the  topographical  bureau.  He  became 
attached  to  one  of  Colonel  Benton's  daughters,  the 
celebrated  and  brilliant  Jessie.  The  young  lady  saw  in 
him  the  youthful  hero,  the  enterprising  engineer,  and 
the  man  of  distinction  and  world-wide  fame.  After 
their  marriage  the  father  took  them  to  reside  in  his 
house.  At  the  close  of  this  winter  Mr.  Fremont  was 
coming  to  the  capital  as  Senator  from  the  new  State 
of  California,  and  was  said  to  be  the  most  popular 
man  in  all  that  country.  In  appearance  he  was  slen- 
der and  very  youthful;  his  face  was  marked  by  intel- 
ligence, and  bore  the  lines  of  hardships  sustained  with 
energy  and  perseverance. 

There  was  an  amusing  scene  in  the  Senate  the  day 
Mr.  Hunter  made  a  speech  against  General  Cass's 
Austrian  resolution.  Though  an  eloquent  and  power- 
fid  speaker,  Mr.  Hunter  seldom  engaged  in  debate. 
On  this  occasion  he  bore  down  on  Generals  Cass  and 
Foote,  like  an  avalanche  of  rocks.  They  looked  up 
astounded,  and  finding  they  were  really  the  persons 
meant  in  the  pouring  out  of  the  orator's  sarcasms, 
General  Cass  clutched  his  pen,  and  filled  half  a  sheet 
of  paper  with  notes,  which  he  held  in  his  left  hand. 


428  TAYLOR'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

while  Avith  his  right — his  eyes  resting  earnestly  on 
the  speaker — he  reached  out  for  the  sandstand.  In- 
stead of  it,  he  caught  hold  of  an  inkstand  full  of  ink, 
which  he  poured  all  over  his  notes,  his  left  hand,  coat- 
sleeve,  vest,  and  pantaloons.  The  uniformly  neat 
and  well  dressed  gentleman  was  a  sight  to  behold! 
Foote  of  course  laughed  at  him ;  but  Cass  had  his 
revenji-e  at  the  time  Hale  satirized  General  Foote. 
The  Senate  was  in  a  roar  at  his  witticisms,  but  Foote 
pretended  not  to  have  heard  what  had  been  said. 
General  Cass  obligingly  repeated  all  to  him,  shaking 
w^ith  laughter  as  he  did  so. 

"  Tlio  new  British  minister  was  Sir  Henry  Lytton  Bulwer.  A  satirist 
asked  :  Where  are  the  pigmies,  the  ephemerals,  the  corrupt  politi- 
cians of  the  present  day,  contrasted  with  the  illustrious  trio  of  aged  and 
venerable  statesmen,  Clay,  Calhoun  and  Webster  I  Calhoun's  speech 
in  the  Senate  in  March,  1850,  created  an  excitement  unprecedented. 
The  galleries  were  jammed.  General  Hamilton  accompanied  Calhoun 
to  his  seat ;  Mr.  Webster  and  others  warmly  grasped  his  hand.  A  let- 
ter dated  March  21st,  said  :  '  John  C.  Calhoun  is  dying  ;  a  great  in- 
tellectual light  is  going  out.  W^ith  the  exit  of  the  great  Carolinian  the 
sting  of  rivalry,  which  rankled  against  him  in  the  bosoms  of  Clay,  Web- 
ster and  Benton,  dies  forever.'  " 

Franklin  H.  Elmore,  successor  of  Calhoun  in  the 
Senate,  died  in  May  at  Washington.  For  years  he 
had  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  politicians  of 
South  Carolina ;  he  possessed  a  splendid  intellect,  and 
all  the  elements  of  a  great  statesman.  He  was  twice 
elected  to  Congress  from  Charleston  district,  but  re- 
tired in  1842,  and  took  the  presidency  of  the  bank  of 
South  Carolina.  On  the  election  of  Mr.  Van  Buren, 
he  was  offered  and  declined,  the  appointment  of  min- 
ister to  England.     After  Mr.  Calhoun's  death,  he  was 


DEATH    OF   THE    PRESIDENT.  429 

called  on  by  the  governor  of  his  native  State  to  sup- 
ply the  vacancy,  and  accepted  on  condition  he  should 
not  be  expected  to  serve  another  term.  His  vrife  Avas 
a  sister  of  Dixon  H.  Lewis  of  Alabama.  Mr.  Elmore 
was  about  sixty  when  he  died.  He  was  perhaps  the 
next  greatest  man  in  South  Carolina  to  Mr.  Calhoun, 
the  last  so  great  that  he  was  like  the  majestic  oak 
in  the  open  field,  which  overshadowed  and  absorbed 
every  other  shrub  or  tree,  and  prevented  their  growth. 
For  twenty  years  it  had  been  political  death  for  any 
man  in  South  Carolina  to  differ  from  Mr.  Calhoun. 
Preston  and  Legare  had  raised  an  opposition,  and  in 
a  year  their  opposition  was  crushed.  The  eloquent 
McDufhe  differed  from  him,  and  had  not  illness  shelved 
him  the  people  would  have  done  it.  The  accomplished 
Pickens  took  opposition  ground  in  one  measure,  and 
he  was  heard  of  no  more  in  political  life.  J.  H.  Ham- 
mond, who  had  been  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  and 
for  some  time  an  able  and  distinguished  member  of 
Congress,  was  thought  to  resemble  Calhoun.  He  was 
a  man  of  splendid  talents  and  acquirements,  a  planter, 
and  devoted  to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture. 

On  the  4th  July,  President  Taylor  and  his  cabinet 
attended  the  celebration  at  the  Washington  Monu- 
ment. The  General,  on  his  return  home,  ate  dinner 
with  a  keen  appetite.  The  next  evening  he  was  ill, 
and  on  the  fourth  day  an  attack  of  cholera  morbus 
w\as  blended  with  a  remittent  fever  which  assumed 
a  typhoid  form.  A  few  hours  brought  on  alarming 
symptoms ;  and  with  a  breaking  up  and  collapse  of 
the  whole  system,  the  President  sank  till  death  closed 
the  scene.     His  corpse  was  laid  out  in  the  east  room 


430  Taylor's  administration. 

on  a  magnificent  catafalque  of  black  velvet,  trimmed 
with  white  satin  and  silver  lace.  The  body  was  in  a 
lead  coffin  enclosed  in  one  of  mahogany  with  silver 
decorations. 

All  the  departments  and  public  buildings,  with 
many  private  houses,  were  hung  in  black. 

The  new  President  took  the  oath  of  the  constitu- 
tion in  the  House.  General  Scott  arrived  to  super- 
intend the  military  arrangements  for  the  funeral. 

Zachary  Taylor  was  said  to  be  in  his  sixty-fifth  year 
at  the  period  of  his  death.  He  was  born  in  Orange 
County,  Virginia,  November,  1784.  His  father,  Colo- 
nel Richard  Taylor,  was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  the  Old  Dominion,  and  remarkable 
for  hardy  and  impetuous  courage.  He  was  one  of 
the  original  settlers  of  Kentucky,  and  lived  on  his 
estate  near  Lexington  till  his  death.  Famous  for  his 
desperate  encounters  with  the  Indians,  he  was  a  prom- 
inent man  in  civil  life.  At  the  fireside  of  such  a 
father,  with  an  elder  brother  in  the  profession  of  arms, 
Zachary  was  early  disposed  towards  a  military  life. 
He  entered  the  United  States  army  as  a  lieutenant, 
when  only  eighteen,  and  remained  in  the  service 
nearly  forty  years.  In  the  war  with  Great  Britain 
of  1812,  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain.  It  1832  l:^e 
was  raised  to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  the  next  scene 
of  his  active  service  was  in  Florida.  His  engage- 
ments had  an  important  result  in  finishing  the  Florida 
war.  The  appreciation  of  his  services  was  marked  by 
the  appointment  of  Brigadier-General.  He  was  then 
ordered  to  the  Southern  Department.  Placed  in 
command  of  the  ''army  of  occupation,"  he  entered 


PRESIDENT  Taylor's  character.  431 

on  the  duties  which  led  to  liis  subsequent  series  of 
remarkable  military  exploits.  His  services  in  the 
Mexican  war  are  matters  of  history  that  need  not  be 
recapitulated.  At  its  close  he  retired  to  his  planta- 
tion at  Baton  Eouge. 

President  Taylor  was  acknowledged  by  the  whole 
country  to  be  in  the  loftiest  sense,  patriotic,  honest, 
sincere,  virtuous,  and  free  from  personal  ambition. 
His  military  glory  no  w^ords  could  dignify  or  exalt. 
He  went  to  the  grave  w^ith  an  enviable  fame,  leaving 
a  memory  that  will  live  in  the  hearts  of  his  country- 
men. 

It  w^as  not  till  1853  that  Mrs.  John  Tyler's  eloquent 
reply  to  the  appeal  of  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland  and 
the  ladies  of  England  to  the  w^omen  of  America,  against 
domestic  slavery,  was  published.  The  lady  drew  a  sad 
picture  of  the  condition  of  the  poor  and  suffering  class 
in  England. 


XY. 

FILLMORE'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Mr.  Fillmore's  Mother  a  "Woman  of  superior  Intellect — Hereditary  Vir- 
tue a  Patent  of  Nobility — Appearance  of  Mr.  Fillmore — His  Public 
Services  and  prominent  Position  in  Congress— His  noble  Character— 
His  Dignity  and  Urbanity  as  Vice-President — Accession  to  the  Pres- 
idency— His  Plan  for  the  Extension  of  the  Capitol — Various  Explor- 
ing Expeditions  sent  out — Eminently  combines  the  Kequisites  for  a 
great  and  able  Chief  Magistrate — Mrs.  Henry  L.  Scott — Visit  of 
Kossuth  to  Washington  —  Dinner  given  him  by  the  President  — 
Thirty-six  Guests — Seward's  Entertainment  for  him — Dancing  of 
Lola  Montez  at  the  Theater  appreciated  by  Fashionable  Ladies — 
Death  of  Henry  Clay — Memoir  of  Mrs.  Fillmore — Personal  Appear- 
ance— Official  Dinners  every  Week,  and  Morning  Receptions — Mrs. 
Fillmore's  early  Life — Romantic  first  Acquaintance  with  young  Fill- 
more— Domestic  Tastes  of  the  lovely  young  Wife — Her  Presidency 
at  the  White  House — Her  Death  in  Washington. 

Mr.  Fillmore  was  no  exception  to  the  rule  that  dis- 
tinguished men  have  generally  had  superior  mothers. 
His  was  a  woman  of  high  intellect,  and  refined  culture, 
possessing  the  graces  that  adorn  social  life.  She  was 
Miss  Phebe  Millard  of  Pittsfield,  Mass.  Married  at  a 
vcr}'  earl}^  age,  and  taken  to  a  pioneer's  home,  she 
showed  the  judgment  of  an  experienced  matron  in 
aiding  her  husband  and  manaij^ino;  her  domestic  affairs. 
Her  son  Millard  w\as  born  in  Locke,  Cayuga  County, 
in  1800.  Descended  from  a  long  line  of  virtuous  and 
patriotic  American  ancestors,  his  character  was  formed 


DESCRIPTIOX    OF    MR.  FILLMORE.  433 

by  the  purest  and  best  influences.  "  Hereditary  vir- 
tue," says  Irving,  "  gives  a  patent  of  innate  nobleness 
beyond  all  the  blazonry  of  the  Herald's  College." 

In  1830  Mr.  Fillmore  was  described  as  of  the  medi- 
um stature,  of  light  complexion  and  regular  features, 
and  of  a  mild  and  benign  countenance.  His  disposi- 
tion was  retiring  and  unassuming.  Though  young, 
he  had  all  the  prudence,  discretion  and  judgment  of 
an  experienced  man.  His  mildness  and  benignity  of 
temper  were  blended  with  immovable  firmness,  and 
he  was  distinguished  for  rare  and  admirable  mental 
qualities. 

As  a  debater  in  the  Legislature,  it  was  said  of  him  : 
"He  never  rises  without  attracting:  the  attention  of 
all  who  arc  within  the  sound  of  his  voice.  His  man- 
ner is  good,  his  voice  agreeable ;  he  is  mild  and  per- 
suasive ;  his  speeches  are  pithy  and  sententious,  al- 
ways free  from  idle  and  vapid  declamation."  He  was 
elected  to  Confrress  in  the  autumn  of  1832. 

The  twenty-seventh  Congress  was  a  very  memorable 
one.  No  presidential  election  had  ever  excited  a  deep- 
er interest  than  that  of  1840.  Wide  spread  financial 
distress  had  pervaded  the  country  for  the  two  or  three 
preceding  years;  business  was  in  a  state  of  stagnation, 
and  the  public  mind  had  become  impressed  with  the 
idea  that  the  general  embarrassment  was  due  to  polit- 
ical causes.  Whether  justly  or  unjustlj^  the  party  in 
power  was  held  in  some  measure  responsible  for  the 
condition  of  the  country.  The  mighty  uprising  of  the 
masses  by  which  the  administration  of  Mr.  Yan  Buren 
was  overthrown,  not  only  elected  a  new  President  but 

brought  together  a  Congress  entertaining  political 
27 


434  Fillmore's  administration. 

principles  the  reverse  of  those  ^vhich  had  prevailed 
during  the  last  twelve  yoars.  The  prominent  position 
assigned  to  Mr.  Fillmore  in  this  Congress,  was  a  proof 
of  the  confidence  inspired  hy  his  previous  career. 
As  financial  difficulties  had  brought  the  new  adminis- 
tration into  power,  it  was  its  chief  duty  to  devise 
financial  remedies.  The  highest  mark  of  confidence 
the  whig  party  could  bestow^  on  any  member  of  Con- 
gress, w^as  to  make  him  chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Ways  and  Means.  Millard  Fillmore  was  placed  in 
this  responsible  position,  and  acquitted  himself  in  a 
manner  that  won  for  liim  laurels  which  any  states- 
man might  be  proud  to  wear.  In  1842,  Mr.  Fillmore 
was  spoken  of  as  standing  in  the  same  relation  to  the 
government  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  that  the 
Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  does  to  the  government 
of  Great  Britain  in  the  House  of  Parliament.  He 
was  the  financial  organ  of  the  legislature ;  all  bills 
affecting  the  revenue  originating  in  the  House.  Ca- 
pacities of  a  high  order  were  required  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  the  post. 

Mr.  Fillmore  was  now  described  as  ^^R\e  feet  ten 
inches  tall,  stout  and  finelj^  formed.  His  complexion 
is  light;  his  eyes  are  blue  and  lively;  his  forehead  is 
broad,  and  he  has  a  handsome  Grecian  mouth.  His 
appearance  would  attract  attention  anywhere,  as  his 
abilities  qualify  him  for  any  station.  He  is  always 
composed,  and  all  his  acts  are  controlled  by  the  dic- 
tates of  his  judgment.  He  is  the  incarnation  of  truth 
and  integrity.  He  w'ould  never  raise  hopes  and  then 
blast  them.  He  is  frank,  open,  and  manly.  In  pub- 
lic life  and  in  private  he  is  without  guile;  pure  and 


FILLMORE   AS    VICE-PRESIDENT.  435 

untarnished.  His  talents  are  of  a  high  grade;  he  is 
a  sound  thinker,  and  very  sagacious ;  his  judgment  is 
clear,  and  his  emotions  never  override  it;  he  is  always 
to  he  relied  on,  and  whatever  he  undertakes  he  will 
master.  He  belongs  to  that  rare  class  whose  merits  are 
developed  with  every  day's  use  ;  in  whose  minds  new 
beauties  and  new  riches  are  discovered  as  they  are 
examined  into.  He  has  a  high  legal  reputation,  pos- 
sesses great  industry;  is  agreeable  in  conversation, 
and  his  information  upon  general  subjects  is  varied 
and  extensive.  The  queen  city  of  the  lakes  may  be 
justly  proud  of  f^o  able  a  representative,  so  eminent 
a  citizen;  of  a  statesman  whose  public  career  is  so 
bright  and  so  full  of  promise," 

In  February,  1849,  Mr.  Fillmore  resigned  his  office 
as  Comptroller  of  New  York,  and  proceeded  to  Wash- 
ington to  assume  the  duties  of  the  Vice-President 
Mr.  Dallas,  the  late  Vice-President,  had  been  for  some 
time  in  the  chamber,  his  snow-white  hair  and  noble 
figure  attracting  much  attention.  He  occupied  a  seat 
in  front  of  the  Secretary's  table  facing  the  Senators. 
Presently  he  was  observed  to  retire,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  w^as  seen  re-entering  in  company  with  Mr.  Fill- 
more, whom  he  conducted  to  the  chair  of  the  Senate. 
The  oath  of  office  w^as  administered  to  him  by  the 
president  pro  tern,  and  then  he  delivered  his  brief 
address  in  the  calm  and  dignified  manner  for  which 
he  was  distinguished.  While  acting  as  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Mr.  Fillmore  presided  over  the  Senate  with  a 
dignity  and  urbanity  never  surpassed.  Calhoun,  in 
1826,  had  announced  to  the  Senate  his  opinion  that 
the  Vice-President  had  no  authority  to  call  Senators 


436  Fillmore's  admixistratiox. 

to  order  for  any  violation  of  courtesy  or  transgres- 
sion of  the  rules  of  debate.  Mr.  Fillmore  made  a 
speech  in  which  he  explained  the  reasons  why  he 
thought  it  his  duty  to  preserve  decorum,  and,  if  occa- 
sion should  render  it  necessary,  reverse  the  usage  of 
his  predecessors.  This  determination  met  with  the 
warm  approval  of  the  Senate,  who  ordered  Mr.  Fill- 
more's speech  to  be  entered  at  length  on  their  journal. 

On  the  10th  July,  1850,  Mr.  Fillmore  was  called  to 
take  the  oath  as  President.  After  the  appearance  of 
the  Senate  in  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, the  President  entered  accompanied  by  the  cab- 
inet, the  members  remaining  standing  as  a  mark  of 
respect.  The  oath  was  administered  by  Judge  Cranch. 
The  President,  Cabinet  and  Senate  then  retired ;  and 
the  Speaker  announced  that  he  had  received  a  mes- 
sage, which  related  to  the  funeral  obsequies  of  Zacli- 
ary  Taylor.  Mr.  Fillmore's  first  annual  message  at 
the  opening  of  the  next  session  of  Congress,  promul- 
gated the  general  principles  by  which  he  would  be 
governed  in  his  administration.  This  message  was 
admirable  in  style,  national  in  its  spirit,  statesmanlike, 
and  a  model  of  brevity  and  directness. 

In  1851  it  was  necessary  for  the  President  to  give 
Congress  a  plan  for  the  extension  of  the  capitol.  By 
Mr.  Fillmore's  plan,  two  wings  were  to  be  added  to 
the  previous  edifice,  connected  with  it  by  corridors. 
Excavations  for  the  foundation  were  immediately  com- 
menced, and  the  work  Avas  in  sufficient  forwardness 
to  allow  the  corner-stone  to  be  laid  on  the  4th  July. 
This  was  done  by  the  President's  own  hand,  with  im- 
posing  ceremonies,  and  amid  a  great  concourse  of 


MRS.  HENRY    L.  SCOTT.  437 

people,  who  were  eloquently  addressed  by  Mr.  Web- 
ster, the  Secretary  of  State.  The  President  was  as- 
sisted ill  laying  the  corner-stone  by  the  Grand  Master 
of  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodge,  who  w^ore  the  same 
rec^alia  and  used  the  identical  o-avel  which  Washino;- 

O  CD  O 

ton  had  used  fifty-eight  years  before,  in  laying  the 
corner-stone  of  the  original  edifice. 

The  various  exploring  expeditions  to  the  Chinese 
seas,  the  valley  of  the  Amazon,  the  rivers  of  Africa, 
etc.,  sent  out  under  Mr.  Fillmore's  administration, 
showed  it  to  be  characterized  by  enterprise  and  by  a 
salutary  caution.  He  fully  sympathized  with  the  pro- 
gressive spirit  of  the  age,  and  his  management  evinced 
his  high  qualities  as  a  practical  statesman.  Firm 
when  right  was  involved,  bold  when  occasion  demanded, 
far-sighted  respecting  the  consequences  of  measures, 
quick  to  perceive  where  advantage  could  be  gained 
for  the  country,  cool,  sagacious,  deliberate  and  inflexi- 
bly just,  he  combined  more  of  the  requisites  for  a  great 
and  able  Chief  Magistrate  than  any  other  man  known. 

During  Mr.  Fillmore's  administration  the  handsom- 
est woman  in  Washington  was  Mrs.  Henry  L.  Scott, 
who  presided  over  the  General's  house.  She  was  a 
blonde,  with  a  clear,  bright  complexion,  and  a  tall 
form  with  a  certain  grandeur  of  presence  that  im- 
pressed all  who  saw  her.  She  possessed  uncommon 
intellect  with  great  sprightliness  and  noble  qualities 
of  heart.  She  is  now  in  Europe. — Mrs.  Holley  was 
the  only  daughter  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  and  always 
lived  with  her  mother,  and  received  the  visitors  at  her 
house. 

The  federal  city  was  rather  scant  of  amusements 


438 

at  the  beginning  of  1851.  There  was  a  small  theater, 
and  parties  were  given  by  members  of  the  cabinet^, 
some  of  the  foreign  ministers^  and  an  occasional  mem- 
ber of  Congress;  and  Jenny  Lind's  wildwood  notes 
had  been  heard.  Complaints  were  made  that  the 
assemblies  were  costly,  and  made  np  of  "the  same  set 
of  elderly  ladies"  in  all  "the  glaring  importance  of 
dress."  The  President's  levees  w^ere  voted  monoto- 
nous and  dull  by  those  who  had  not  novelty  to  en- 
liven them  in  the  round  of  the  east  room.  The  pro- 
prietors of  one  of  the  hotels  organized  a  weekly  hop 
in  the  new  ball-room,  under  the  supervision  of  twenty 
gentlemen  managers  and  twelve  lady  patronesses. 
All  visitors  had  to  be  endorsed  by  one  of  those  com- 
mittees. The  President  and  cabinet  attended  the 
first,  and  the  diplomatic  corps^  the  Supreme  Court, 
and  Congress,  wxre  largely  represented.  At  the  one 
given  on  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  New  Or- 
leans, Mr.  Clay  was  the  reigning  favorite ;  more  fas- 
cinating than  beauty  arrayed  for  conquest,  more 
charming  to  beauty  than  the  most  dashing  military 
dandy.  The  cabinet  and  the  Supreme  Court  were 
represented  by  Mr.  Corwin  and  Judge  Woodbury. 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania  were  sustained  in  the 
department  of  belles,  and  the  Carolinas  and  the  far 
West  came  up  to  the  maintenance  of  their  respective 
sections.  At  eleven  the  company  discussed  a  boun- 
teous supper. 

At  the  close  of  1851,  Louis  Kossuth  visited  Wash- 
ington. His  party  was  received  by  a  deputation  and 
conducted  by  two  Senators  to  Brown's  hotel;  shortly 
iifterwards,   the    hero    came  out  on  the  balcony  and 


DINNER   TO    KOSSUTn.  439 

boAvcd  to  the  assembled  crowd.  The  next  day  he 
was  presented  to  President  Fillmore,  at  the  White 
House,  and  had  a  strictly  private  interview.  The 
President  gave  him  a  dinner,  for  w^hich  thirty-six 
covers  were  ordered.  The  Secretaries  and  the  ladies 
— twelve  in  all — three  of  the  ladies  belomxino;  to  the 
President's  family — the  committees  of  the  Senate  and 
House,  the  President  of  the  Senate  and  Speaker  of 
the  House,  with  Kossuth  and  his  suite  and  a  few 
others,  made  up  the  number.  The  President  had  a 
pleasure  in  showing  attention  to  the  Hungarian  guest; 
but  officially  he  had  to  be  governed  by  the  proceed- 
ings of  Congress.  Crowds  of  visitors  w^aited  on  Kos- 
suth upon  New  Year's  day.  Kossuth  asked  Judge 
Beale  what  State  he  represented.  *^  Virginia,"  was 
the  answer.  ^*The  mother  of  States  and  of  states- 
men," said  the  Magyar.  The  members  of  Congress 
then  offered  the  hospitalities  of  their  respective  States. 

There  had  been  a  fire  in  the  beautiful  room  appro- 
priated to  the  library  of  Congress,  and  a  mass  of 
blackened  rubbish  lay  under  the  west  front  of  the 
capitol — the  ashes  and  cinders  of  some  forty  thousand 
volumes,  piled  from  five  to  eight  feet  high;  the  leaves 
of  the  burnt  books,  in  all  languages,  strewn  about  the 
terrace  '^  thick  as  autumnal  leaves  in  Yallambrosa." 
Among  the  valuable  works  lost  were  the  records  of 
the  British  Parliament  from  the  time  of  William  the 
Conqueror. 

Mr.  Seward  gave  an  evening  entertainment  to  Kos- 
suth and  his  suite ;  and  a  Congressional  banquet  was 
given  to  him  at  the  National  Hotel,  three  hundred 
guests   being    present,  including   Hon.  W.  R   King. 


440  Fillmore's  administration^. 

President  of  the  Senate,  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  Sec- 
retaries Corwin  and  Stuart,  Judge  Wayne  of  the  su- 
preme Court,  General  Houston,  Mr.  Seward,  and 
other  distino-uished  men.  General  Scott  was  not 
there,  being  absent  in  Virginia.  He  was  understood 
to  be  dead  set  against  intervention,  and  all  foreign 
emissaries  whose  business  it  w^as  to  involve  the  peo- 
ple in  filibustering  expeditions.  The  General  ^vas  a 
whisr  conservative  of  the  old  school.  General  Sam. 
Houston  dined  in  company  wuth  Kossuth^  but  escaped 
in  time  to  avoid  the  responsibility  of  a  speech.  A 
different  kind  of  success  was  that  of  Lola  Montez,  the 
theater  being  crowxled  on  the  first  night  of  her  ap- 
pearance in  Washington.  The  grace  and  elegance 
of  her  dancing  were  appreciated  by  the  fashionable 
ladies.  It  was  said  that  numerous  calls  Avere  made 
upon  her  by  leading  persons,  but  that  she  declined 
receiving  any  one.  The  President,  cabinet,  diplo- 
matic corps,  members  of  Congress,  and  other  distin- 
guished persons  were  present  at  the  entertainment 
on  board  the  Baltic.  Over  two  thousand  persons 
were  on  board.  In  the  splendid  saloons  of  the  ship 
a  luxurious  banquet  was  set  out.  Scores  of  elegantly 
dressed  ladies  clambered  through  and  admired  the 
ponderous  machinery,  bright  as  a  mirror,  and  too 
clean  to  soil  the  most  delicate  cambric. 

Henry  Clay  breathed  his  last  on  the  29th  of  June, 
IS '32,  at  his  rooms  in  the  National  Hotel  in  Washincc- 
ton.  He  had  been  rapidly  sinking  for  some  days, 
Init  his  mind  retained  its  clearness  to  the  last. 

Mrs.  Fillmore  in  stature  was  above  the  medium 
height;    her  form  was  symmetrical  and  remarkably 


MRS.  FILLMORE.  441 

erect  and  graceful.  Her  eyes  were  of  a  light  soft 
blue  :  her  hair  was  bright  auburn,  fine  and  silky,  rip- 
pling from  her  Ibrehead  and  hanging  in  natural  ring- 
lets. Her  complexion  was  delicately  fair  and  fresh. 
Her  face  lighted  up  with  a  pleasant  smile  when  she 
was  engaged  in  conversation,  and  her  manner  was 
winning,  though  marked  by  a  retiring  modesty  bor- 
dering on  reserve. 

It  was  a  sad  event  to  Mrs.  Fillmore,  as  well  as  to 
the  nation,  which  so  unexpectedly  called  her  husband 
to  enter  on  the  duties  of  the  Presidency.  She  was 
not  able  to  close  her  house  in  Buffalo  and  join  the 
President  till  the  October  following  the  death  of  Gen- 
eral Taylor.  When  the  winter  season  opened,  and 
through  succeedino;  ones,  Mrs.  Fillmore's  health  was 
too  fragile  to  allow  her  to  enjoy  the  elevation  to  which 
she  had  been  so  unexpectedly  raised.  The  fatiguing 
ceremonies  in  which  she  was  obliged  to  take  part 
often  exhausted  her  strength,  and  marred  the  pleas- 
ure she  would  have  derived  from  social  intercourse. 
During  the  sessions  of  Congress,  the  President  usually 
gave  an  official  dinner  every  week,  to  which  members 
of  Congress  and  other  dignitaries,  with  their  wives, 
were  invited,  without  distinction  of  party.  In  the 
short  session  these  official  dinners  were  given  twice  a 
week.  Weekly  morning  receptions  were  held  from 
ten  to  twelve,  and  evening  levees  from  eight  to  ten ; 
and  at  these  Mrs.  Fillmore  was  ahvays  present  when 
her  health  would  possibly  permit.  At  the  evening 
receptions  a  band  of  music  played  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  company,but  no  refreshments  were  offered. 
In  warm  wx^athcr  musical  entertainments  were  given 


442  Fillmore's  admixistratiox. 

in  the  public  grounds.  During  the  recess  of  Congress 
the  niornhig  receptions  were  kept  up,  though  not  the 
levees;  and  the  Presidential  dinners  were  less  fre- 
quent, fewer  guests  being  invited.  It  was  customary 
for  the  President  to  receive  visitors,  but  never  to  pay 
calls ;  and  although  Mr.  Fillmore  gave  dinners,  he 
never  accepted  invitations  to  any  beyond  one  occa- 
sionally at  the  house  of  a  cabinet  minister.  Mrs.  Fill- 
more was  debarred  from  making  or  returning  calls  by 
the  delicacy  of  her  health,  and  that  laborious  duty 
devolved  upon  her  daughter.  At  all  the  public  re- 
ceptions and  official  dinner  parties,  however,  she  pre- 
sided with  great  dignity  and  the  demeanor  of  a  high- 
bred lad}^,  whose  intelligence  and  good  sense  were  as 
apparent  as  her  unobtrusive  moral  excellence  and 
earnest  piety. 

Mrs.  Fillmore's  maiden  name  was  Abigail  Powers ; 
and  she  was  born  near  the  battle-ground  of  Bemis' 
Heights,  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  March,  1798. 
Her  father,  Eev.  Lemuel  Powers,  was  a  Baptist  clergy- 
man. His  death  in  1800  left  his  widow  with  limited 
means  and  a  larc^e  familv,  of  which  Abif]rail  was  the 
youngest.  When  the  little  girl  was  but  nine  years 
of  age,  her  mother  removed  to  Sempronius,  Cayuga 
County,  where  the  child,  being  exceedingly  bright 
and  fond  of  reading,  early  acquired  an  education.  It 
was  her  design,  which  she  carried  out,  to  devote  her- 
self to  teaching  ;  and  by  this  she  not  only  maintained 
herself,  but  contributed  to  the  support  of  her  mother. 
In  this  retired  place  she  attended  the  same  school 
with  a  noble-hearted  lad — young  Millard  Fillmore — 
with  whom  she  soon  formed  a  friendship  founded  on 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


A""; 

TtLDtiN     1-UUNUA!IUNS 


RlQ[S§„S^[LLnE  Wi^IBi©  My^Tc 


DOMESTIC    TASTES    OF    MRS.  FILLMORE.  445 

a  similarity  of  tastes.  He  was  then  an  apprentice  to 
the  carding  and  cloth-dressing  business.  The  mutual 
regard  between  these  young  people  grew  and  streno-th- 
ened,  and  finally  ripened  into  a  love  that  lasted  dur- 
ing their  united  life.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  young 
Fillmore  gave  up  this  apprenticeship,  and  began  the 
study  of  law.  He  finished  his  legal  course,  and  com- 
menced practice  in  Buffalo.  In  February,  1826,  he 
married  Miss  Powers  at  Moravia  in  Cayuga  County, 
and  took  her  to  reside  at  Aurora  in  the  County  of 
Erie.  Four  years  later  they  removed  to  Buffalo, 
which  continued  to  be  their  permanent  home. 

While  it  was  the  fortune  of  Mr.  Fillmore  to  become 
early  involved  in  political  life,  his  wife's  retiring  dis- 
position and  love  of  domestic  life,  caused  her  to  shrink 
from  any  share  in  his  celebrity.  The  peace  and  quiet 
seclusion  of  her  own  home  were  far  dearer  to  her  than 
all  the  glitter,  show  and  admiration  that  waited  upon 
the  rising  statesman,  and  might  have  made  her  an 
object  of  attention.  Her  leisure  hours  were  devoted 
to  books  and  to  the  cultivation  of  flowers,  of  which  she 
was  passionately  fond.  She  was  tenderly  devoted  to 
her  children,  and  frequently  joined  them  in  their  les- 
sons :  French  bein^r  a  favorite  studv.  She  was  a  lover 
of  music,  and  was  never  more  happy  than  when 
listening  to  her  daughter's  playing  the  piano,  while 
her  son  sang.  It  was  a  delight  and  a  pride  to  her 
to  witness  the  improvement  of  those  on  whom  she 
lavished  such  affectionate  solicitude.  Her  son  was 
born  in  1828;  her  daughter  in  1832;  but  she  sur- 
vived her  mother  little  more  than  a  year. 

As  a  wife  also  this  lovely  lady  was  tender  and  ex- 


440  Fillmore's  administration. 

emplary.  She  never  accompanied  her  husband  to 
Albany  during  the  three  years  that  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Assembly;  and  in  the  eight  years  between 
1833  and  1843,  that  he  was  in  Congress,  she  went  but 
seldom  to  AVashington.  While  in  the  capital  she 
entered  moderately  into  the  gayeties  of  the  season; 
but  always  returned  with  pleasure  to  her  beloved 
home  and  the  quiet  cares  claimed  by  her  young  chil- 
dren. Hitherto  her  health  had  been  good;  but  in 
1842  the  accidental  sprain  of  her  ankle,  for  want  of 
rest  and  care,  caused  her  months  of  suffering  and 
confinement  to  her  room,  which  seriously  impaired 
her  general  health.  While  her  husband  held  the 
ofHce  of  comptroller  of  his  State,  her  children  being 
absent  at  school,  she  accompanied  him  io  Albany; 
remaining  till  he  resigned  his  office  and  went  to 
Washington  as  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 
Then  she  returned  to  her  home  in  Buffalo.  Here  she 
was  startled,  in  July,  1850,  by  news  of  the  death  of 
President  Taylor. 

Probably  the  happiest  day  of  her  residence  in 
Washington,  was  the  3d  of  March,  1853,  when  the 
official  term  of  President  Fillmore  expired.  A  jour- 
ney through  the  Southern  States  had  been  planned 
for  the  renovation  of  Mrs.  Fillmore's  health;  but  she 
was  destined  never  to  leave  Washington  alive.  A 
severe  cold  taken  the  day  of  Mr.  Pierce's  inaugura- 
tion, settled  on  her  lungs,  and  after  great  suffering 
borne  with  Christian  fortitude,  terminated  her  life. 
She  died  at  Willard's  hotel  on  the  30th  of  March,  and 
was  taken  home  and  buried  in  Forest  Lawn  cemetery 
at  Buffalo. 


XVI. 

PIERCE'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Excitement  at  Pierce'.s  Nomination — Delicate  Health  of  Mrs.  Pierce— 
Habits  of  the  President  Elect — Early  Life  and  beautiful  Character 
of  Mrs.  Pierce — Her  Devotion  to  the  Duties  of  her  Station — The 
Accident  that  made  her  childless — Departure  of  Pierce  for  Washing- 
ton— Webster,  the  private  Secretary — General  Pierce  in  New  York, 
and  Evasion  of  his  Pursuers — A  thousand  Visitors  in  Philadelphia 
— His  Cabinet — The  last  Night  in  Congress — Scene  of  the  Inaugura- 
tion— Sketch  of  General  Pierce  and  the  Vice-President — Secretary 
Marcy — The  other  Secretaries — Entertainment  given  by  the  Brazi- 
lian Minister — Array  of  Beauty — Presidential  and  Cabinet  Doings 
anatomized  at  the  Tea-tables — Judge  Douglas  and  Beverly  Tucker 
— Diplomatic  Dinner — Splendid  Parties  in  Washington — Mrs.  Jeffer- 
son Davis — The  Belles  and  their  Toilets — Grouping  of  the  fair  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  different  Sections — Governor  Aiken's  grand  Party 
— Amusing  Story  of  the  British  Minister  —  Marriage  of  Senator 
Douglas — Mrs.  Douglas — Stirring  Scene  on  Thanksgiving  Morning 
— General  Houston — Reception  at  Secretary  McClelland's — Senator 
Butler,  of  South  Carolina — Mrs.  Guthrie's  Party — Anecdotes. 

The  nomination  of  Franklin  Pierce,  the  democratic 
candidate  for  the  Presidencv,  created  2^reat  excitement 
in  New  Hampshire  and  elsewhere.  The  health  of 
Mrs.  Pierce  was  delicate,  and  he  was  busy  in  closing 
up  his  professional  business.  His  family  consisted  of 
himself,  wife,  and  son  twelve  years  old.  His  brother, 
Henry  D.  Pierce,  and  his  sister,  the  widow  of  General 
John  McNeil,  were  his  nearest  relations,  and  resided 
at  Hillsborough.     Major  Benjamin  K.  Pierce,  of  the 


448  PIERCE'S    ADMINISTRATION". 

army,  was  tlic  oldest  brother,  but  had  been  dead  sev- 
eral years.  Mrs.  Pierce  was  the  daughter  of  Rev. 
Jesse  Appleton,  D.  D.,  President  of  Bowdoin  College. 
She  was  born  in  Hampton,  N.  H.,  in  1806,  and  was 
married  to  Franklin  Pierce  in  1834. 

For  years  her  health  had  been  delicate  and  she 
had  secluded  herself  from  general  society.  Her  fine 
natural  endowments  were  developed  by  careful  and 
liberal  culture,  and  the  influences  of  her  homo  associa- 
tions were  refining  and  elevating.  Her  tastes  were 
of  exceeding  delicacy  and  purity ;  and  she  appreci- 
ated the  beautiful  in  nature  and  art.  She  shrank 
with  extreme  sensitiveness  from  public  observation. 
Those  wdio  noted  her  in  the  midst  of  the  undesired 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  her  public  station, 
claimed  for  her  an  unsurpassed  dignity  and  grace, 
delicacy  and  purity.  A  Christian  home  was  quietly 
maintained,  in  the  midst  of  public  life. 

The  private  Secretary  said  of  Mrs.  Pierce :  "  She 
was  a  very  remarkable  woman.  To  a  careful,  early 
formal  education  were  added  accomplishments  of  an 
extremely  rare  order.  Her  taste  was  faultless.  If  I 
were  to  say  in  what  she  was  most  striking,  it  would 
be  that  no  one,  observing  her,  could  fliil  to  see  that 
she  was  a  lady  by  birth,  education  and  habit  of  life." 
She  died  in  December,  18G3,  at  Andover,  Massachu- 
setts. 

General  Pierce  himself  bore  with  perfect  equanim- 
ity the  news  of  his  elevation  to  the  highest  office  in 
the  people's  gift.  He  was  the  only  calm  and  self-pos- 
sessed man  in  Concord  the  night  of  its  arrival ;  but, 
after  receiving  the  victorious  bulletins  with  scarcely  a 


SETTING    OUT    FOR    WASHINGTON.  449 

change  of  countenance,  he  quietly  retired.  A  letter 
said,  "  His  habits  are  plain  and  unostentatious.  His 
practice  yields  him  a  large  income,  and  he  is  gener- 
ous to  a  fault.  It  is  said  in  Concord  that  he  will 
spend  his  Presidential  twenty-five  thousand  every 
year." 

A  deplorable  accident  that  occurred  on  the  Boston 
and  Maine  Eailroad  rendered  childless  the  Chief  Mag- 
istrate elect  in  the  hour  of  his  triumph.  The  car  in 
which  General  Pierce,  Mrs.  Pierce  and  their  son  hap- 
pened to  be  passengers,  was  thrown  off  the  track  and 
precipitated  down  a  steep  embankment,  making  a 
complete  turn-over  in  its  descent.  General  and  Mrs. 
Pierce  and  ten  or  twelve  others  were  severely  but 
not  dangerously  injured.  But  when  the  father  found 
his  child,  the  boy  was  dead.  This  dreadful  affliction 
overtook  him  suddenly,  when  the  sky  was  brightest, 
and  when  the  hopes  and  aspirations  of  a  great  nation 
had  centred  in  him.  The  child  had  been  called  Ben- 
jamin, in  honor  of  his  brave  grandfather. 

On  the  14th  of  February  General  Pierce  left  his 
residence  in  Concord  for  the  national  capital.  He 
had  been  a  public  man  for  nearly  twenty-five  years, 
and  for  much  of  that  time  the  most  influential  man  in 
New  Hampshire.  Possessing  all  those  generous  and 
noble  attributes  which  never  fliil  to  win  the  regard 
and  lasting  confidence  of  an  intelligent  people,  he 
early  received  and  always  retained  a  popularity  based 
on  so  solid  a  foundation  that  nothing  could  impair  it. 
Just  in  all  his  conduct,  generous  to  a  fault,  the  soul 
of  honor,  liberal  in  his  views,  possessing  as  kind  and 
noble  a  heart  as  ever  warmed  a  true  man's  breast  or 


450  Pierce's  administUxVTiox. 

prompted  to  chivalrous  deeds,  and  in  his  constant  in- 
tercourse with  the  people  ever  exhibiting  those  traits 
of  character,  it  was  not  strange  that  he  had  won  and 
retained  the  highest  respect  of  all  classes.  He  select- 
ed Mr.  Sidney  Webster  as  his  private  secretary.  This 
relation  to  a  President,  being  strictly  confidential,  could 
be  properly  fdlcd  only  by  a  gentleman  of  education, 
discretion,  honor  and  personal  accomplishments.  Mr. 
Webster  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  the  son  of 
Caleb  Webster,  and  the  nephew  of  General  Peaslee ; 
he  had  been  thoroughly  educated,  and  was  a  lawyer 
of  experience,  with  brilliant  prospects.  They  came 
quietly  from  Boston  to  New  York,  and  took  lodgings 
at  the  Astor  House. 

Before  the  public  knew  of  the  arrival.  General 
Pierce  had  taken  breakfast,  his  companions  being 
Governor  Seymour  of  Connecticut,  and  Major  Kim- 
ball, both  of  whom  had  fought  by  his  side  in  the 
Mexican  w^ar.  Meanwhile,  politicians,  office-hunters, 
and  curious  people  crowded  the  halls  and  corridors 
of  the  hotel.  One  or  two  only  had  noticed  the  com- 
manding figure  and  intelligent  countenance  of  the 
gentleman  in  mourning,  accompanied  by  his  secretary 
and  a  single  servant,  who  had  driven  to  the  hotel 
from  the  New  Haven  cars.  His  luggage  had  an  ap- 
pearance of  severe  republican  simplicity,  "a  couple 
of  old  hair  trunks  which  might  have  been  the  prop- 
erty of  a  veteran  of  1812,  and  two  portmanteaus 
scarcely  less  venerable  in  appearance."  The  whole 
army  of  waiters  hardly  sufficed  to  carry  up  the  cards 
and  notes  presented  by  persons  who  "  had  done  signal 
service  for  General  Pierce  and  the  democratic  party 


ESCAPE    OF    THE    PURSUED.  451 

in  the  late  Presidential  election."  But  instead  of 
holding  parley  with  the  crowd,  the  General  privately 
made  his  exit,  accompanied  by  Sergeant  O'Neil,  for 
the  purpose  of  visiting  the  widow  of  the  late  General 
Worth,  then  staying  on  Governor's  Island.  Fortu- 
nately the  General's  person  was  not  known,  and  he  ar- 
rived unmolested  at  the  Battery.  There  he  took  a 
boat  for  the  island;  but  the  small  craft  was  nearly 
upset  by  the  swell  of  the  sea,  and  the  party  narrowly 
escaped  being  drowned.  The  sentry  refused  to  allow 
the  strange  visitor  to  land  at  the  island,  unprovided 
with  an  order,  and  presented  his  bayonet  in  a  mena- 
cing manner.  When  informed  that  his  visitor  was  the 
President  elect,  he  was  astonished  beyond  measure, 
never  imagining  that  a  person  of  so  much  importance 
w^ould  come  in  a  manner  so  unostentatious. 

After  a  somewhat  lengthened  visit  to  Mrs.  Worth, 
the  President  returned  in  a  small  boat,  and  found  a 
formidable  and  increasing:  crowd  of  office-seekers  col- 
lected  at  Whitehall  to  await  the  landing.  Sergeant 
O'Neil  espied  the  harpies,  and  it  was  immediately  de- 
termined to  outmanoeuvre  them ;  so  the  boat  was 
pulled  to  the  north  side  of  the  Battery.  The  crowd 
ran  up  Broadway  to  intercept  their  victim,  supposing 
he  would  take  that  route ;  but  on  landing,  the  pur- 
sued stepped  into  a  carriage,  directing  it  driven  rap- 
idly through  West,  Washington,  and  other  obscure 
streets,  to  the  Astor  House.  A  tremendous  multi- 
tude was  now  assembled,  and  a  deputation  from  a 
committee  came  to  enquire  if  the  General  could  re- 
ceive that  body.     He  declined,  as  he  was  traveling 

privately,  and  had  made  up  his  mind  to  receive  no 

2S 


452  Pierce's  administpwAtion. 

committees  ;  though  he  was  willing  to  receive  gentle- 
men who  called  as  individuals.  A  number  visited 
him,  among  them  Governor  Seymour  of  New^  York, 
and  John  Van  Buren.  At  three  o'clock,  wearied  and 
worried,  the  General  retired,  and  got  away  secretly 
in  the  afternoon  train  for  Philadelphia;  the  brake- 
man  raising  two  flags  at  the  back  of  the  rear  car,  the 
one  set  apart  for  the  General  and  his  friends. 

It  was  determined  by  Mrs.  Pierce  to  remain  in  Bos- 
ton till  after  the  inauguration.  The  President's  party 
stopped  at  the  Merchant's  Hotel  in  Philadelphia,  and 
the  next  morning  General  Pierce  received  about  a 
thousand  visitors.  It  had  been  sup^srested  that  James 
Guthrie  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  would  probably  receive  a 
cabinet  appointment  from  President  Pierce.  He  was 
a  man  of  strong  mind,  great  energy  of  character,  and 
untiring  industry;  a  leader  of  the  democracy  of  the 
State.  In  feeling  and  interest  he  was  identified  with 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
To  commanding  talents  and  an  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  wants  and  resources  of  the  whole 
country,  he  united  urbane  and  prepossessing  manners. 
James  Campbell  of  Pennsylvania,  was  also  spoken  of 
as  one  of  the  cabinet.  He  was  Attorney-General  of 
ethe  State;  had  been  a  judge  of  one  of  the  Philadel- 
phia courts,  and  was  universally  admitted  to  be  an 
honest,  upright,  able,  learned  and  popular  man.  At 
this  time  he  was  young,  and  seemed  destined  to  be- 
come one  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the  age. 
His  was  an  active  spirit,  cool,  calm,  and  clear,  and  his 
warmth  of  heart  was  equal  to  his  energy,  balanced, 
too,  by  discretion  and  sagacity.      He  had  a  happy 


THE   LAST    NIGHT.  453 

facility  in  adapting  himself  to  others.  He  was  a  bold 
uncompromising  democrat  and  proved  himself  by 
pen  and  voice  a  true  champion  of  popular  rights;  a 
friend  to  civil  and  religious  freedom. 

On  the  24:th  February  President  Fillmore  and  Gen- 
eral Pierce,  with  two  or  three  of  the  Secretaries,  and 
many  officers,  visited  the  caloric  ship  Ericson  at  Al- 
exandria. The  invention  was  exhibited  and  explained 
to  them,  and  the  naval  gentlemen  expressed  great 
admiration  of  the  wonderful  machinery.  A  splendid 
carriage  made  in  the  French  caleche  style,  and  light 
bay  horses,  were  presented  by  the  Boston  people  to 
General  Pierce. 

The  last  night  in  Congress  this  year — that  of  the 
3d  March — saw  a  rush  and  crush  and  confusion  with- 
in and  without  the  capitol  till  the  small  hours  of 
morning.  When  the  votes  were  called,  the  sleepers 
on  the  sofas  and  in  the  side-rooms  w^ere  drummed  up. 
President  Fillmore  w^as  si2:nino;  bills  till  after  midnioiit. 
The  city  was  in  an  uproar  with  bands  of  music,  rockets 
and  artillery,  and  wandering  strangers  with  carpet 
bags  were  to  be  seen  at  every  turn.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  March  4th,  the  capitol  swarmed  to  overflowing. 
Hundreds  had  slept  in  its  w^arm  passages  and  in  the 
rotunda,  lying  down  in  their  cloaks,  while  thousands 
had  w^alked  the  streets  all  night.  On  the  way  to  the 
capitol,  General  Pierce  stood  erect  in  the  carriage, 
with  President  Fillmore  by  his  side,  surrounded  by 
marshals  and  bowing  to  cheers  and  the  waving  of 
handkerchiefs.  The  foreign  ministers,  in  splendid 
carriages,  with  full  court  dresses,  added  to  the  pageant. 
An  immense  staging  was  erected  in  the  eastern  front 


454  Pierce's  administration. 

of  the  capitol,  where  the  oath  of  office  was  adminis- 
tered and  the  address  delivered.  In  taking  the  oath, 
General  Pierce  said,  '- 1  solemnly  affirm,"  raising  his 
right  hand  and  holding  it  aloft.  As  he  stood  with 
head  uncovered  and  lifted  hand,  the  spectators  also 
uncovered,  even  in  the  snow  that  w^as  falling.  Pierce 
was  nndoubtedly  an  effective  and  graceful  speaker. 
The  ladies  were  in  ecstasies,  and  some  clhnbed  upon 
the  pediments  of  the  columns  of  the  capitol,  to  their 
no  small  danger.  On  the  completion  of  the  address, 
the  procession  again  formed,  and  proceeded  along  the 
avenue,  escorting  the  new  President  to  the  White 
House.  Great  numbers  waited  on  President  Pierce, 
and  the  evening  closed  with  balls  and  other  enter- 
tainments. 

At  a  crowded  reception  given  by  President  Pierce, 
some  amusing  scenes  occurred  with  the  office-seekers. 
One  ambitious  fellow  stepped  up  with  the  preparatory 
remark:  "Pm  an  applicant  for  office."  ^'Glad  to  see 
you,  sir,"  w^as  the  reply:  "good  morning,"  and  off 
glided  the  President.  Some  had  their  papers  in  their 
hands  ready  for  presentation;  but  Sergeant  O'Niel 
managed  to  get  possession  of  them  before  they  could 
reach  their  destination.  One  applicant  made  out  to 
thrust  his  memorial  into  the  President's  hands,  but  it 
was  dropped  like  a  hot  coal.  When  the  Mayor  of 
Baltimore  and  a  deputation  came  up,  and  the  worthy 
civic  functionary  had  just  cleared  his  throat  for  a  for- 
mal address,  General  Pierce,  too  quick  for  him,  begged 
the  pleasure  of  shaking  hands  with  all  the  delegation, 
and  thus  escaped  the  infliction  of  the  oration. 

Franklin   Pierce   was   born   at   Hillsborough,  New 


EMINENT    STATESMEN.  455 

Hampshire,  in  1804.  He  was  the  youngest  man  who 
had  been  yet  elected  to  the  Presidency.  In  1833  he 
took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  Congress.  In  1837  he 
was  elected  a  Senator,  but  resigned  his  seat  in  1842. 
He  was  esteemed  one  of  the  most  eminent  lawyers 
in  New  Hampshire.  In  the  war  with  Mexico  he  en- 
rolled himself  as  a  private  soldier ;  but  the  President 
sent  him  a  colonel's  commission,  and  in  1847  he  was 
advanced  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general.  He  wished 
to  decline  the  nomination  to  the  Presidency  in  1852. 
The  office  he  would  not  seek  was  conferred  upon  him 
by  the  voice  of  the  people. 

William  Rufus  King,  the  Vice-President,  was  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1786.  At  this  time  he  was  sixty- 
seven,  and  in  precarious  health.  He  removed  to  Ala- 
bama in  1818 ;  w^as  chosen  one  of  the  first  United 
States  Senators,  and  continued  a  member  of  that  body 
for  over  twenty-four  consecutive  years.  He  accepted 
the  mission  to  France  offered  him  by  President  Tyler. 
In  1848  he  was  again  Senator  from  Alabama,  in  place 
of  Arthur  Bagby.  In  1850  he  was  chosen  President 
pro  ieni.  of  the  Senate,  Vice-President  Fillmore  hav- 
ing succeeded  to  the  Presidency.  He  was  considered 
one  of  the  champions  of  Southern  State  rights.  His 
residence  was  at  Selma,  on  the  Alabama  River,  and 
he  never  was  married. 

William  Larned  Marcy,  the  new  Secretary  of  State, 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  in  his  sixty-seventh 
year  at  this  time.  On  the  organization  of  that  po- 
tent and  secret  association  called  ^"the  Albany  Re> 
gency,"  Mr.  Marcy  became  one  of  the  most  trusty 
and  confidential  members  and  advisers  of  its  head, 


456  Pierce's  administration. 

Martin  Van  Buren.  He  was  Secretary  of  War  under 
Mr.  Polk,  and  his  ability  as  a  writer,  tactician  and 
statesman  was  generally  admitted.  Robert  McClel- 
land, the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  resided  in  Michigan,  of  which  State 
he  was  elected  Governor  in  1851.  Jefferson  Davis, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but 
removed  in  early  life  to  Mississippi.  His  military  ed- 
ucation was  received  at  West  Point.  In  1847,  he  was 
elected  United  States  Senator.  In  person  he  was  of 
medium  size.  He  was  forty-five  years  of  age,  and  the 
last  man  one  would  imagine  a  "fire-eater,"  being  prim 
and  smooth-looking,  with  a  precise  manner,  a  stiff^ 
soldierly  carriage,  and  an  austerity  at  first  forbidding. 
As  a  speaker  he  was  clear,  forcible  and  argumentative ; 
his  voice  clear  and  firm.  Caleb  Cushing,  Attorney- 
General,  was  the  aiithor  of  "Reminiscences  of  Spain," 
and  "Historical  and  Political  Review  of  the  Revolu- 
tion in  France,"  which  appeared  in  1830.  He  com- 
menced public  life  as  a  friend  of  John  Quincy  Adams, 
w^as  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Massachusetts,  and  w^as  known  as  a  distinguished  pol- 
itician and  eminent  scholar.  Cushing,  too,  had  served 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  won  the  rank  of  Brigadier- 
General.  He  was  at  this  time  fifty-three,  and  was 
tall  and  slender,  with  dark  complexion.  It  created 
something  of  a  sensation — the  discovery  that  Gene- 
ral Cushing  was  the  only  man  in  the  cabinet  who 
could  speak  another  than  his  native  language.  At  a 
diplomatic  dinner  given  by  M.  de  Bodisco,  the  Attor- 
ney-General surprised  the  distinguished  party  by  con- 
versing in  French  with  M.  Le  Compte  de  Sartiges,  in 


CHANGES    IN    THE    CAPITAL.  457 

Spanish  with  Don  Calderon  de  la  Barca,  in  Dutch 
with  Baron  Testa,  in  German  with  Baron  von  Gevolt, 
in  Portuguese  with  De  Figaniere,  and  in  unexcep- 
tionable Tuscan  with  the  representative  of  the  two 
Sicilies.  The  Secretary  of  State  figured  in  tolerable 
English  only.  Mr.  John  Slidell,  of  New  Orleans,  was 
nominated  as  minister  to  Central  America.  The  last 
executive  levee  of  the  season  was  given  on  the  24th 
March. 

On  the  death  of  Mrs.  Fillmore — March  30  th — the  cab- 
inet council  was  suspended,  and  all  public  offices  were 
closed  by  order  of  the  President.  At  the  motion  of 
Mr.  Seward,  the  Senate  adjourned.  The  President  ad- 
dressed a  tribute  of  condolence  to  his  bereaved  prede- 
cessor. It  was  understood  that  the  deceased  lady 
would  be  taken  to  Buffalo  for  interment.  The  wife 
of  Hon.  Lewis  Cass  died  in  Detroit  on  the  same  day. 

Major-General  Scott  went  to  New  York,  and  in  his 
absence  the  furniture  of  his  house  in  Washington  was 
advertised  for  sale.  Dr.  Kane  of  the  Arctic  exploring 
expedition,  and  G.  P.  K  James,  the  novelist,  were  also 
visitors  to  the  capital.  Dr.  Kane  preparing  for  his  last 
Arctic  expedition.  The  death  of  Vice-President  King 
brou(!:ht  a  o^loom  over  Washing-ton  towards  the  last 
of  April.  He  -had  reached  his  home  in  Alabama. 
Sergeant  O'Neil's  departure  from  the  White  House 
was  a  severe  loss  to  the  President,  whom  he  re- 
lieved from  much  unnecessary  annoyance.  In  No- 
vember General  Cass  engaged  a  suite  of  apartments 
at  Willard's,  for  the  winter,  intending  to  bring  his 
daughter,  keep  a  carriage,  &c.  This  was  a  great 
change  from  the  plain  manner  of  life  observed  by 


458  Pierce's  administration. 

the  General  for  several  years  in  Washington.  In 
1854,  Lieutenant  Bodisco,  a  nephew  of  the  late  M.  de 
Bodisco,  an  attache  of  the  Russian  Legation,  was  re- 
called to  St.  Petersburg  by  his  government. 

During  the  winter  of  1854  diplomatic  balls,  though 
usually  the  most  elegant  and  not  the  least  numerous 
in  Washington,  had  been  discontinued  till  the  24th 
March,  wdien  the  Brazilian  minister  gave  the  first  en- 
tertainment of  the  season,  in  honor  of  the  birthday 
of  the  Emperor  of  Brazil.  Don  Calderon  de  la  Barca 
had  given  delightful  soirees,  at  which  all  the  beauty 
of  Washington  w^as  gathered.  M.  de  Sartiges,  the 
French  minister,  previous  to  his  marriage,  had  also 
given  a  large  ball.  But  this  season  had  seen  no  cards 
issued  by  the  diplomatic  corps.  Fifteen  hundred  in- 
vitations were  issued  by  "Le  Ministre  du  Brezil  et 
Mme.  de  Carvalho  Moreira,"  and  all  the  fashionable 
part  of  Washington  was  in  a  delightful  state  of  ex- 
citement. Some  dragons  of  propriety  whispered 
that  it  was  Lent,  and  Friday  at  that;  but  their  mur- 
murs were  lost  in  the  tumult  of  satisfaction.  Was 
not  the  Brazilian  minister  a  Catholic?  and  did  he  not 
know  what  was  proper!  The  house  was  one  that  had 
been  occupied  by  the  Chilian  minister,  and  after- 
wards by  Mr.  Crampton,  the  British  minister;  and 
was  admirably  adapted  for  an  entertainment.  All 
the  rooms  on  the  first  floor  were  thrown  open,  form- 
ing an  elegant  suit  of  six,  leading  into  each  other. 
The  halls  and  rooms  were  filled  with  exotics,  and  the 
whole  house  was  brilliantly  lighted  with  gas.  At 
the  door,  servants  in  rich  scarlet  liveries  ushered  the 
guests  into  the  disrobing  apartments  up  stairs.     Mad- 


459 

ame  dc  Curvalho  Morcira  received  her  guests  in  the 
center  parlor.  She  was  dressed  in  blue  and  white 
brocade,  with  feathers  in  her  hair.  By  her  side  stood 
the  minister  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Andrada,  the  Secre- 
tary of  Legation,  dressed  in  full  court  costume.  The 
ball-room  was  farther  on,  running:  the  whole  leno^th 
of  the  house.  A  long  room  was  fitted  up  at  the  back 
of  the  house,  communicating  with  all  the  others,  and 
fdled  with  tables  where  the  waiters  dispensed  refresh- 
ments during  the  evening.  Besides  the  Count  de 
Sartiges  and  Mr.  Crampton,  General  Almonte,  the 
Mexican  minister,  was  there;  also  Chevalier  Halse- 
man,  the  Austrian  minister;  Baron  Grabon,  the  act- 
ing Prussian;  Chevalier  George  de  Sebbern,  minister 
of  Sweden  and  Norway;  Senor  Don  Jose  de  Marco- 
leta,  Nicaraguan  minister;  Senor  de  Coma,  Peruvian, 
&c.  But  few  Senators  or  members  were  present; 
amono^  them  Jud^^e  Douulas  and  Senator  Brodhead: 
of  the  cabinet  only  Jefferson  Davis  and  Dobbin.  But 
the  ari'ay  of  beauty  was  unrivalled.  Mrs.  McClelland 
was  becomingly  dressed  in  straw  colored  biocade. 
Madame  Almonte  wore  blue  brocade,  sparkling  with 
diamonds.  Mrs.  Aiken  of  South  Carolina  was  superb 
as  usual.  It  was  the  first  time  the  appearance  of 
Hon.  James  Buchanan's  beautiful  niece.  Miss  Lane, 
was  publicly  noticed. 

While  the  social  ascendency  of  Mrs.  Roosevelt  in 
Washington  is  noticed,  justice  requires  the  mention  of 
her  young  friend  and  connection,  Mrs.  Henry  Butter- 
field.  This  lady  was  Miss  Mary  Roosevelt  Burke  of 
New  York.  Her  exquisite  beauty,  grace  and  accom- 
plishments, youthful  as  she  was,  rendered  her  a  belle 


460  Pierce's  administration. 

whenever  she  appeared.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Butterfield  she  went  to  reside  in  Paris,  where  she 
was  a  distinguished  favorite  in  the  court  society.  The 
portrait  represents  her  in  a  dress  arranged  with  her 
own  artistic  taste  ;  the  tiara  of  superb  diamonds  suit- 
ing well  her  style  of  loveliness.  She  died  in  Paris 
after  some  years'  residence. 

While  residing  in  the  executive  mansion,  Mrs. 
Pierce  never  made  her  own  sorrows  a  reason  for 
any  change  in  the  accustomed  routine  of  public  af- 
fairs, social  or  official.  Although  of  course  with  no 
heart  for  such  things  during  the  early  portion  of  the 
administration  of  her  husband,  she  considered  it  her 
dutv  to  do  everv  thinG:  in  that  re2:ard,  which  had  been 
done  before,  or  which  her  social  position  required. 
For  years  the  established  routine  of  the  White  House 
had  been  a  morning  reception  and  an  evening  recep- 
tion each  week  during^  the  session  of  Cono!:ress.  These 
were  never  intermitted,  and  Mrs.  Pierce  invariably 
"  received "  with  her  husband,  unless  too  ill ;  often 
when  few  could  have  borne  up  against  her  physical 
suffering.  In  addition,  during  the  session,  General 
and  Mrs.  Pierce  gave  every  week  a  state  dinner  to 
which  thirty-six  persons  were  invited.  Besides,  there 
was  rarely  a  week-day  that  they  dined  alone ;  the 
guests  averaging  from  three  to  twelve.  Indeed, 
"public  gayety"  at  the  White  House  from  1853  to 
1857,  was  never  better  known. 

Superficial  persons  who  attended  the  receptions  at 
the  White  House  might  mistake  the  imrivalled  grace, 
dignity  and  sweetness  of  Mrs.  Pierce's  manner,  for 
the  result  of  her  great  sorrow.     But  they  were  in 


^^^S"!:; 


mABY 


AS  Tor/      1 


s  V^ 


MMS^MEHMX  J=  BUJTTnEMJFUEIJ]) . 


iDgiirE^ 


ANECDOTE    OF    TUCKER.  4G3 

error.  The  absence  of  everything  like  bustle  or 
hurry,  and  the  presence  always  of  repose  and  gentle- 
ness in  her  bearing,  were  things  innate  and  inbred, 
without  which  she  w^ould  not  have  been  the  lady  of 
refinement  she  was. 

A  letter  dated  in  November,  1855,  says  that  at  the 
tea-tables  in  Washington  the  doings  of  the  President 
and  cabinet  were  anatomized,  and  hands  were  held 
up  at  the  grandeur  of  an  aristocratic  democracy ;  ul- 
tra style  prevailing  at  court  ceremony  and  retinue 
beyond  all  that  had  gone  before.  "Strangers  are 
crowding  in  already.  The  new  Spanish  minister  and 
many  others  are  making  themselves  comfortable  for 
the  wunter.  Escalante  does  not  come  from  the  old 
worn  out  families  of  Spain,  from  which  have  been 
hitherto  chosen  their  representatives  at  foreign  courts. 
He  belongs  to  the  new  school.  Our  wealthy  banker, 
Mr.  Corcoran,  will  be  here  soon  w^ith  his  daughter; 
above  all,  Eachel  will  soon  be  here.  The  maids  in 
hiring  themselves  for  the  season,  require  to  be  al- 
lowed time  to  attend  to  their  French  studies ;  and 
many  of  them,  on  being  asked  their  names,  answer 
'  Rar-char-el '  w^ith  a  sweeping  curtsy."  "  They  tell 
a  good  joke  of  Tucker,  who  is  said  to  be  clever  at 
repartee.  The  ^little  giant'  one  day,  in  one  of  his 
free  and  easy  moods,  marched  up  and  affected  to  lean 
familiarly  on  Tucker's  shoulder;  saying  to  him  jo- 
cosely; 'Bev.  when  I  get  to  be  President,  what  shall 
I  do  for  you,  old  boy  ? '  ^  Do  ? '  replied  Tucker,  *  why, 
put  your  arm  on  my  shoulder  in  as  kind  a  mood  as 
you  do  now,  and  ask  me  the  same  question  then.' 
Douglas  laughed  heartily." 


464  Pierce's  admixistratiox. 

A  new  minister  from  Mexico  appeared  in  the  place 
of  General  Almonte — Colonel  Robles,  a  gentleman  of 
accomplished  and  scientific  education,  of  talents  and 
ample  fortune.  Though  not  more  than  forty  years 
of  age,  he  held  a  deservedly  high  military  rank.  His 
appointment  at  this  time  to  a  responsible  mission,  in- 
dicated a  fusion  of  all  parties  who  opposed  and  were 
punished  by  Santa  Anna. 

The  guests  at  a  diplomatic  dinner  given  early  in 
the  following  season  by  the  President,  at  which  Mrs. 
Pierce  presided,  were  Mr.  Crampton  and  Secretary 
Lumley,  representatives  of  England,  M.  and  Madame 
Boileau  of  France,  Mr.  and  Madame  Stoeckl  of  Rus- 
sia, Senor  Almonte  of  Mexico,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marcoleta 
of  Nicaragua,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sibbern  of  Sweden,  Seiior 
Escalante,  Secretary  of  Legation  of  Spain,  Don  Ad- 
rada  and  wife  of  Brazil,  M.  de  Gerelt  and  secretary  of 
Prussia,  M.  Bochebencer  of  Belgium,  Mr.  Schleider  of 
Bremen,  Senor  Osma  of  Peru,  Mr.  Molina  of  Costa 
Rica,  Mr.  Winsrea  of  Naples,  Mr.  Hulsemann  of  Aus- 
tria, with  General  Thomas,  Under  Secretary  of  State, 
and  Sidney  Webster.  At  one  of  the  President's  levees, 
in  January,  Senator  Hale  of  New  Hampshire,  who 
had  taken  occasion  some  time  before  to  lampoon  the 
President  from  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  called  with 
thousands  of  others  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  Chief 
Magistrate.  With  his  face  wreathed  in  smiles  and  a 
lovely  woman  on  his  arm,  he  approached  his  Excel- 
lency in  the  blue  room  in  the  presence  of  a  crowd  of 
spectators.  General  Pierce  received  the  lady  with 
marked  courtesy,  and,  having  done  so,  he  turned  upon 
his  heel,  right-about  face,  presenting  the  New  Hamp- 


CLOSE    OF   THE    CAEXIYAL.  465 

shire  Senator  with  a  full  view  of  his  back.     The  tab- 
leau created  not  a  little  amusement. 

In  spite  of  political  disorganizations,  dancing  and 
parties  became  more  popular  than  ever  this  winter. 
The  President's  levees  and  receptions  by  the  secre- 
taries alternated  with  "hops"  and  "grand  affiiirs"  at 
the  different  hotels.  Mr.  Buchanan  was  expected  to 
return  from  the  mission  to  England  in  February,  Mr. 
Dallas  being  appointed  his  successor.  There  were 
many  "grand  features"  in  the  way  of  parties,  bright- 
ened by  elegant  women  from  all  parts  of  the  Union, 
One  at  Mrs.  Parker's  was  particularly  noticed,  the 
Misses  Parker  appearing  among  the  most  beautiful 
and  accomplished.  Another  brilliant  party  was  given 
by  Mrs.  Wood,  the  daughter  of  General  Taylor.  The 
Legislature  of  Maryland  gave  a  grand  ball  at  An- 
napolis, the  4th  February.  In  quickness,  fluency  of 
speech,  decision,  firmness  and  dignity,  Mr.  Banks  ex- 
celled, and  was  on  the  whole  an  admirable  Speaker, 
sustaining  the  high  reputation  he  had  established  in 
Massachusetts  as  a  presiding  officer. 

The  carnival  season  closed  early  in  February  with 
unusual  brilliancy  and  gayety.  A  reception  given  by 
Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis  was  attended  by  the  most  ele- 
gant and  fashionable  of  the  court  circle;  the  lady 
hostess  appearing  to  great  advantage,  celebrated  as 
she  w\as  for  being  one  of  the  most  superior  women  in 
the  country.  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis  was  Miss  Yarina 
Howell,  the  daurrhter  of  a  merchant  of  Natchez.  She 
was  married  in  that  city.  She  was  a  brunette,  with 
dark,  fine  eyes,  and  was  very  Spanish  looking.  An- 
other superb  party  was  given  at  Hon.  A.  C.  M.  Pen- 


466  Pierce's  administeatiox. 

iilngcton's.  At  the  o-reat  annual  ball  the  wife  of  Sen- 
ator  Wcllcr  of  California  wore  a  black  brocade  silk, 
with  ilovv'crs  and  diamonds.  Mrs.  Crittenden,  ever 
the  impersonation  of  gentle  grace;  the  dark-eyed 
Miss  Mechlin,  exquisitely  dressed,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Havens 
and  her  fair  daughter  Minnie  of  New  York,  and  Mrs. 
George  Parker,  with  two  lovely  daughters,  drew  gen- 
eral attention.  The  beautiful  Mrs.  Webb,  daughter- 
in-law  of  James  Watson  Webb,  attracted  much  atten- 
tion. She  was  attired  in  white  watered  silk.  The 
celebrated  Mrs.  Coventry  Waddell,  wearing  white 
moire  antique,  with  diamonds,  was  universally  ad- 
mired; also  Mrs.  Montgomery  Blair;  and  Mrs.  Coke, 
the  daughter  of  Secretary  Guthrie,  and  Mrs.  Pope,  his 
niece,  the  greatest  favorites  in  Washington.  Another 
niece  was  the  lovely  Miss  Mary  Tyler  of  Kentucky. 
She  was  the  object  of  marked  attention.  Mrs.  Rev- 
erdy  Johnson  and  her  two  daughters  were  surrounded 
by  distinguished  statesmen  and  Senators.  Miss  Wood- 
bury, daughter  of  Judge  Woodbury  of  Massachusetts, 
received  the  homas^e  accorded  to  a  distins^uished  belle 
of  Washington;  also  Miss  Riggs  of  the  same  city; 
and  the  lovely  blonde.  Miss  Beal,  and  the  beautiful 
brunette.  Miss  Kecouver.  Miss  Belle  Cass — the  gifted 
I  and  accomplished,  the  elegant  and  statelj* — was  dress- 
ed in  black  silk,  with  trimmings  of  lace  and  jet,  and 
diamond  ornaments.  The  charming  Mrs.  Lindsay,  a 
descendant  of  the  author  of  the  song  "Auld  Robin 
Gray,"  was  there ;  with  Mrs.  Charles  King,  the  wife 
of  the  President  of  Columbia  College,  New  York, 
and  her  daughter  Mrs.  Gracie;  the  wife  of  Senator 
Trumbull  of  Illinois ;  the  wife  of  Judge  Gilchrist,  and 


REPRESENTATIVE    BEAUTIES.  467 

a  host  of  others.  Among  the  distinguished  gentlemen 
were  General  Sam.  Houston,  Hon.  Mr.  Banks,  Secre- 
tary Guthrie,  Lieutenant  Lowell,  of  the  Arctic  expedi- 
tion, Sidney  Webster,  Marshal  Hoover,  Senator  Toucey, 
Hon.  Reverdy  Johnson,  Judge  Gilchrist,  of  the  court 
of  claims,  and  others  too  numerous  to  mention. 

A  spectator  found  in  each  beauty  the  fit  represent- 
ative of  her  home.  ''  Yonder  flits  the  bland  mannered 
Kentucky  belle,  her  figure  so  embonpoint,  her  face 
so  radiant ;  her  gossamer  skirts  falling  like  spray  from 
her  white  satin  bodice,  and  looped  with  fresh  flowers. 
Then  floating  with  elastic  step  comes  the  fair  Georgian, 
wearing  a  coronet  studded  with  pearls  and  rubies. 
Here  the  lithe  figure  of  a  belle  from  Mississippi  glows 
in  the  foreground.  Tyrian  dj^es  could  not  give  a 
brighter  tint  to  her  skirts,  which  she  manages  with 
the  grace  of  a  Lady  Constance ;  her  dark  auburn 
hair  girded  with  a  band  of  emeralds  and  diamonds. 
There  is  the  vivacious  and  intelligent  representative 
of  Massachusetts,  in  white  satin  tastefully  trimmed 
with  gold  blonde  and  looped  with  orange  blossoms ; 
and  the  placid  one  of  Philadelphia,  sensitive,  modest 
and  graceful;  wearing  a  tiara  of  diamonds  on  her 
head,  while  her  full  shoulders  are  graced  with  a  cape 
of  Spanish  point  lace,  disclosing  in  front  a  chain  of 
diamonds  that  blaze  in  a  stream  of  light  about,  her 
neck;  her  dress  a  rich  claret-colored  silk  trimmed 
with  tulle,  with  white  satin  under-robe.  Passing 
down  the  gay  throng  is  the  statuesque  Baltimorian, 
her  queenly  form  robed  in  green  and  white  brocade^ 
trimmed  with  white  tulle  and  blonde ;  her  dark  hair 
parted  in  glossy  waves  over  her  brow,  where  rested 


468  Pierce's  administration. 

a  wreath  of  green  and  white  May  blossoms  blended 
with  emeralds  and  diamonds.  There  too  was  the 
bright-eyed  Buckeye^  than  whom  none  was  more  coy, 
nor  had  a  face  more  fair ;  the  rustic,  artless  daughter 
of  Down  East ;  the  buxom  Green  Mountain  maid,  her 
motion  as  crude  as  her  cheeks  were  ruddy  ;  the  New 
Hampshire  prude  of  some  forty  summers,  lisping  re- 
gardless of  Murray  ;  the  flirting  blonde  of  Washing- 
ton;  the  gracious  Virginian,  with  features  classic  and 
serene,  and  the  daisy-like  daughter  of  Connecticut, 
with  mild  and  measured  laus-h.  Then  came  the  im- 
perious  Carolinian,  with  stately  step,  face  of  Grecian 
mould,  dark  languishing  eyes  and  Ion-like  expression. 
Nor  must  be  omitted  the  matronly  mother  of  the  old 
school,  and  her  two  bouncing  daughters,  whose  rich 
Dutch  blood  does  now  and  then  make  riot  at  the 
round  table." 

Governor  Aiken  of  South  Carolina,  gave  a  splendid 
party  early  in  March ;  and  the  ball  at  the  National 
hotel,  was  a  grand  affair.  Senators  Crittenden,  Doug- 
las, Hale,  Jones,  Weller,  &c.,  were  at  the  ball ;  also 
General  Cass,  General  Houston,  the  Secretaries  and 
Speaker  Banks,  with  many  other  distinguished  per- 
sons, and  ladies  of  high  repute  in  the  fashionable 
world.  One  of  the  most  interesting  incidents  was  the 
debut  of  Horace  Greeley  in  a  quadrille.  His  Terp- 
sichorean  feats  were  the  theme  of  general  admiration. 

An  amusing  story  went  the  rounds  that  Mr.  Cramp- 
ton,  the  British  minister,  had  endeavored  to  satisfy 
the  public  mind  as  to  his  permanency  in  official  posi- 
tion, by  employing  a  perfect  train  of  coal-carts,  en- 
gaged all  day  in  carting  wood  and  coal   to  his  resi- 


MARRIAGE  OF  JUDGE  DOUGLAS.        469 

dence  on  the  heights  of  Georgetown.  The  great 
Presidential  battle  of  this  year  resulted  in  the  election 
of  James  Buchanan. 

Judge  Douglas  came  to  Washington  in  November, 
1856,  to  be  united  to  a  lady  who  had  been  for  some 
time  the  belle  of  the  city.  Miss  Cutts  belonged  to 
one  of  the  oldest  families  in  Virginia.  She  was  a 
Catholicj  and  the  marriage  was  appointed  to  take 
place  in  the  Catholic  church.  Senators  Slidell  and 
Toucey  were  in  the  capital  in  November  in  fnie  health 
and  spirits,  and  were  looked  on  as  members  of  the 
future  cabinet,  and  treated  with  corresponding  def- 
erence and  courtesy.  Harry  Hibbard  was  also  there, 
spending  most  of  his  time  at  the  executive  mansion, 
and  in  conference  with  President  Pierce.  A  gay 
winter  was  anticipated;  the  short  session  preceding 
an  inauguration  being  usually  very  brilliant  in  social 
matters. 

It  seems  that  a  Buffalo  hatter  sent  for  the  measure 
of  Mr.  Buchanan's  head;  also  that  some  of  the  chiv- 
alry of  Charleston  had  desired  to  make  him  a  present 
of  a  grand  carriage.  But  the  President  elect  could 
not  fail  to  remember  that  w^hen  certain  public-spirited 
citizens  of  Boston  got  up  a  magnificent  carriage,  and 
presented  it  to  Mr.  Pierce, — almost  every  subscriber 
to  that  carriage  put  in  for  a  fat  office.  On  Thanks- 
•giving  evening,  1856,  Washington  presented  a  gay 
and  stirring  scene;  the  dwellings  in  the  principal 
streets  being  illuminated,  and  the  balustrades  lined 
wdth  spectators;  the  scene  closing  with  fireworks,  in 
honor  of  the  victory  in  Buchanan's  election.  General 
Houston  ^'ties  his  neck-cloth  in  a  very  clumsy  bow^ 
29 


470  Pierce's  administration. 

and  wears  a  tiger-skin  vest,  as  if  for  an  Arctic  expe- 
dition. His  face  is  almost  covered  Avitli  menacing 
whiskers  of  iron  gray;  and  siicli  shagg}^  and  threat- 
ening brows  overhang  his  eyes,  that  one  dreads  to 
look  what  kind  of  eyes  they  are."  A  spectator  in  the 
gallery  remarked,  in  January:  "That  small,  delicate, 
and  very  youthful  figure  seated  near  the  Senator 
from  South  Carolina,  has,  during  the  brief  time  he 
has  been  here,  made  a  marked  impression.  Ilis  posi- 
tion, as  he  listens  to  the  Speaker,  with  one  hand 
behind  his  ear,  indicates  that  his  hearing  is  imperfect. 
Mr.  Pugh  is  the  youngest  man  in  the  Senate." 

The  opening  reception  of  the  season  came  off  at  the 
residence  of  Secretary  McClelland,  in  Januar}-.  The 
hostess,  a  very  beautiful  woman,  with  a  manner  of 
quiet  elegance,  was  dressed  in  a  rose-colored  robe 
edged  with  white*  plush.  Her  niece  was  a  fair  girl 
with  joyous  eyes  and  heavy  masses  of  chestnut  ringlets 
shading  her  face.  The  radiant  smile  of  Mrs.  Slidell, 
wife  of  the  Senator  from  Louisiana,  attracted  manv 
admirers.  Her  plainly  parted  hair  was  encircled  by 
brilliant  diamonds.  There  was  an  animation,  a  fas- 
cination in  her  conversation  rarely  seen  equalled. 
"  The  abandon  with  which  she  speaks,  the  grace  of 
her  gestures,  excite  a  perpetual  interest,  and  leave 
a  delightful  impression.  About  eleven,  the  silvery 
head  of  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina,  Judge  But- 
ler, appeared.  He  seemed  to  infuse  new  life  into 
the  circles  he  passed  through,  and  one  might  trace 
his  progress  by  the  livelier  movements  and  more 
mirthful  laugh  that  followed  him  like  the  bubbling 
wake  of  a  ship."      "There,  too,  might  be  seen  the 


SENATOR    BUTLER.  471 

bachelor  member  from  North  Carolina  in  full  dress, 
from  kid  gloves  to  French  boots.  How  many  smiles 
this  gentleman  has  had  wasted  on  him  I  and  yet  he 
contrives  to  dodge  the  whole  artillery.  Towering 
head  and  shoulders  above  all  the  world,  we  observed 
the  witty  member  from  Georgia,  Mr.  Cobb,  who  is 
expected  to  say  what  nobody  else  has  a  right  to  say, 
and  it  is  all  chargeable  to  a  peculiar  development  of 
the  organ  of  mirthfulness."  Senator  Andrew  Pickens 
Butler  was  conceded  to  be  the  most  unique  and  origi- 
nal intellect  in  the  Senate,  His  face,  though  not 
handsome,  was  sturdily  expressive,  with  massive  fea- 
tures and  "  troubled,  streaming,  silvery  hair,  that 
looked  as  if  it  had  been  contending  with  the  blasts 
of  winter.  His  was  the  face  of  one  difficult  to  lead 
and  impossible  to  drive,  wdth  abilities  which  gave  him 
a  towering  eminence.  His  power  as  a  speaker  stood 
acknowledu'ed  in  the  admiration  of  both  Houses. 
Like  all  men  of  impetuous  impulse,  he  was  very 
restless;  one  moment  pacing  to  and  fro  the  space 
behind  the  Speaker's  desk,  another  giving  the  grasp 
of  his  hand  to  some  younger  Senator,  the  next  taking 
active  part  in  the  debates  of  the  day.  He  seemed  to 
hold  the  same  preeminence  in  the  Supreme  Court  as 
in  the  Senate,  The  moment  a  question  was  submitted 
to  him,  his  mind  instinctively  applied  all  the  great 
principles.  He  went  through  the  most  difficult  proc- 
esses of  thought  with  the  ease  and  familiarity  of 
ordinarv  discourse.  Venerable  for  his  years  and 
abilities,  he  possessed  a  dignity  of  mind  that  rendered 
him  infinitely  superior  to  mere  party  spirit.  He  was 
of  a  frank  and  generous  temperament,  an  admirer  of 


472  Pierce's  administration^. 

every  kind  of  excellence,  with  heart  as  warm  as  his 
intellect  was  ample.  Seated  near  Senator  Butler  is 
a  slight,  slender  figure,  a  combination  of  the  poet  and 
politician  in  appearance.  This  is  the  young  Senator 
from  Alabama,  Mr.  Clay,  known  as  a  rising  statesman. 
In  debate  he  is  noted  for  classic  elegance,  in  contrast 
with  the  harsher  style  of  the  Senator  from  Illinois,  as 
a  Grecian  temple  to  the  grim  bleakness  of  a  Methodist 
chapel.  State  rights  is  Mr.  Clay's  political  pet,  and 
with  it  he  is  as  closely  amalgamated  as  a  Smyrna  fig 
to  its  fellow-fig  in  its  drum.  He  cultivates  it  as  a 
favorite  plant — waters  it,  prunes  it  and  supports  it 
with  sticks.  Whenever  this  subject  comes  up,  he 
seems  inspired;  ^ State  rights'  is  his  department,  as 
much  as  the  ^Navy  bill'  is  that  of  Mr.  Mallory,  or  the 
'  Pacific  railroad  bill'  of  Mr.  Gwin." 

A  noted  reception  of  the  season  was  given  at  the 
mansion  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  Mr.  Guth- 
rie's. The  elegant  Mrs.  McLean,  v/ife  of  Judge 
McLean  of  the  Supreme  Court,  was  a  prominent  at- 
traction. Conspicuous  among  the  belles  in  the  danc- 
ing-room was  Miss  Morgan  of  Kentucky,  a  queenly 
looking  girl  in  black  velvet  and  pearls,  who  walked 
through  the  figures  like  an  empress.  She  w\as  chap- 
eroned by  Mrs.  Crittenden.  Few  men  in  the  Senate 
made  so  distinct  and  definite  an  impression  upon  the 
public  mind  as  Judge  Douglas.  A  letter  writer  re- 
marked :  "  His  figure,  short,  stout  and  thick,  would 
have  been  fatal  to  the  divinity  of  the  Apollo  Belvi- 
dere.  His  features  are  rather  stern  and  heavy,  and 
if  it  w^ere  hinted  that  there  was  a  vein  of  acrimony 
in  his  character,  you  imagine  what  expression  that 


DOUGLAS — GENERAL  CASS,  473 

keen  eve  will  take,  that  heavy  eyebrow  and  that 
firmly  set  mouth,  when  he  is  belaboring  the  republi- 
can party.  But  when  he  rises  to  speak,  you  forget 
everything,  except  his  ability.  Bold  and  independ- 
ent in  utterance,  he  has  the  power  of  thrilling  his 
hearers ;  rapidity  and  boldness  of  thought  are  his 
inseparable  attributes.  He  strikes  on  all  the  hard, 
strong  points  of  his  subject  till  they  ring  again.  His 
language  is  always  sharp,  clear,  strong  and  knott}^ ; 
never  soft;  seldom  beautiful.  With  a  whole  storm 
of  unpopularity  roaring  around  him,  he  sternly  pur- 
sues his  course ;  breasting  the  storm,  combating  the 
surge."  Mr,  Hunter,  the  distinguished  Senator  from 
Virginia,  "  wears  his  garments  in  a  fashion  that  shows 
his  abhorrence  of  restraint ;  for  his  clothes  w^ould  be 
an  equally  good  fit  for  any  other  Senator.  His  neck- 
cloth tied  carelessly,  leaves  his  throat  half  bare ;  and 
a  lock  of  hair  is  always  falling  over  his  forehead,  or 
tossed  behind  his  ^  ear.  Though  negligent,  he  is 
never  slovenly." 

General  Cass  struck  one  at  first  sight  as  a  man  of 
thoughtful  and  reflective  habits.  Amid  the  noise  and 
confusion  going  on  around  him,  he  would  sit  calm 
and  abstracted,  listening  benignantly  to  the  business 
before  the  Senate,  and  patting  his  hands  in  uncon- 
scious approval.  His  looks  showed  no  gayety,  and 
he  appeared  absorbed  in  his  own  reflections.  His  life, 
said  a  lady  who  studied  him,  "substantiates  in  the 
clearest  manner  two  principles  of  the  highest  im- 
portance to  the  aspiring  statesman ;  that  the  nation 
eminently  honors  political  integrity  and  private  worth, 
and  that  no  ability  destitute  of  moral  character  can 


474  riERCE'S    ADMINISTRATIOX. 

hold  a  permanent  ascendency  in  the  public  mind. 
Lofty  in  character,  honoring  the  moralities  of  private 
life,  superior  to  the  temptations  of  public  gain,  his 
life  affords  a  useful  lesson."  An  athletic  figure,  and 
features  handsome  and  clearly  cut,  belong  to  Senator 
Toombs.  His  '-'  thick  black  hair  clusters  in  heavy 
masses  above  an  expansive  forehead  and  dark  eyes. 
He  takes  rank  as  one  of  the  best  speakers  in  the 
Senate.  His  extempore  remarks  are  quick,  reasoning, 
and  acute ;  and  there  is  always  an  imposing  vigor  in 
his  language,  tones  and  gestures.  His  voice  is  sharp 
and  high,  sometimes  shrill  and  dissonant,  lacking  the 
round,  full,  mellow  tone.  His  warmth  and  nervous 
energy  make  him  a  most  attractive  speaker.  His 
colleague,  Judge  Iverson,  has  a  marked  Scotch  physi- 
ognomy, and  a  serious  dignified  expression.  He  is 
distinguished  in  the  Senate  for  sound  sense  and  ac- 
curate judgment.  His  argument  is  clear;  his  reply 
to  objections  rapid  and  conclusive ;  with  little  dec- 
lamation, he  is  simple,  searching,  strong,  seldom  im- 
passioned, always  in  earnest. 

The  most  elegant  j^arty  of  the  season  was  an  elab- 
orate entertainment  given  at  the  mansion  of  Gover- 
nor Aiken,  member  from  South  Carolina,  who,  in  the 
six  years  passed  in  Washington,  had  contributed 
largely  to  the  entertainment  of  the  fashionable  world. 
It  was  known  that  he  w^as  about  going  abroad  to  re- 
side some  years,  and  this  was  his  farewell  fete.  Mrs. 
Aiken,  a  graceful  woman,  with  a  form  of  perfect  sym- 
metry, draped  in  embroidered  brocade  which  fell 
around  it  in  heavy  waves  of  silver,  and  splendid  in 
diamonds,  received  the  guests  with  her  daughter,  a 


MRS.    AIKEN  S    PARTY.  475 

young  gill  in  white  illusion  with  white  lilies  in  her 
hair,  with  a  quiet  manner  and  air  of  gentleness.  The 
walls  of  the  ball-room  were  decorated  with  a  profu- 
sion of  evergreens  and  flow^ers,  and  the  orchestra 
platform  was  almost  hidden  by  festooned  branches 
and  laurel  wreaths.  One  of  the  distinguished  guests 
was  George  Peabody,  the  w^orld-famed  banker;  and 
passing  down  the  room  w^ith  the  air  of  a  queen,  w^itli 
perfect  features  as  if  carved  in  marble,  white  and 
smooth  as  marble,  too,  with  clear  liquid  eyes  and 
shadowy  lashes,  was  Mrs.  Douglas,  w^ife  of  the  Senator 
from  Illinois.  Near  her  stood  a  sylph-like  form,  a  lady 
with  low  white  brow  and  wealth  of  golden  curls,  and 
sunny  smile  and  fair  cheek  lightly  tinted  with  crim- 
son; the  daughter  of  Major  Smith,  recently  married 
to  Mr.  Holt,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky. Seated  upon  a  lounge,  with  a  circle  constantly 
around  him,  was  a  gentleman  "with  a  superb  head, 
and  a  face  that  wore  a  beaming  smile  as  if  he  loved 
the  whole  world.  He  is  not  an  old  man,  but  there  is 
a  patriarchal  pathos  in  his  expression  and  manner." 
This  was  Mr.  Henry  Schoolcraft,  the  author  of  "School- 
craft's Indian  History."  He  was  not  in  the  habit  of 
going  out  to  entertainments,  having  long  been  help- 
less from  paralysis  of  the  limbs;  he  w^as  at  this  party 
in  compliment  to  his  old  friend  Governor  Aiken.  His 
placid  cheerfulness  under  affliction,  the  result  of  faith 
in  God,  had  a  better  influence  than  all  the  compli- 
ments his  learning  won  from  literary  societies,  and 
the  private  letters  from  the  great  minds  of  Europe. 

The  season  of  Lent  put  a  stop  to  the  large  dancing 
parties,  substituting  the  more  unpretending  social  re- 


476  Pierce's  administkatiox. 

unions.  One  of  the  most  agreeable  was  given  by  Mrs. 
Watterson,  to  enliven  the  retirement  of  her  invalid 
daughter,  one  of  the  most  cultivated  and  intellectual 
ornaments  of  society.  The  poet,  Eufus  Dawes,  was 
one  of  the  guests.  A  lady  remarked  "  the  repose  in 
his  manner  which  seemed  to  infuse  into  everything 
about  him  somethimj;  serene  and  refinino-."  The  busts 
of  Benton  and  Chief-Justice  Taney,  by  Dr.  Stone,  said 
to  combine  the  delicacy  of  Powers  with  the  elaborate 
execution  of  Greenough,  were  so  much  admired,  that 
the  sculptor  was  commissioned  by  Congress  to  fur- 
nish a  statue  of  John  Hancock  for  the  east  w^ingr  of 
the  capitol.  Mr.  Kingman,  "the  Napoleon  of  corres- 
pondents, the  Talleyrand  of  admiring  editors  and  be- 
wildered politicians, — sitting  in  critical  judgment  up- 
on governments,  dynasties,  presidents  and  cabinets" 
— ^^vas  present,  and  also  a  distinguished  artist,  the 
son  of  Judge  Cranch  of  the  District  Court;  w^hile 
among  the  ladies  were  conspicuous  Miss  Lea,  the 
daughter  of  the  former  "Indian  Commissioner,"  and 
Miss  Fendall,  a  versatile  and  brilliant  belle,  a  privi- 
leged wit  in  society  ;  expected  to  say  what  no  one  else 
could,  with  face  "  full  of  a  hundred  laughing  fancies." 
Her  father  was  a  leading  lawyer. 

A  visitor  to  the  Senate  chamber  w\as  old  Mr.  Bradley, 
a  veteran  from  Vermont.  He  was  Senator  for  that 
State  in  1812.  Yet  he  looked  younger  than  General 
Cass,  who  was  at  that  time  a  young  lawyer  in  Detroit. 
A  number  of  Senators  crowded  round  him,  enjoying 
the  jokes  he  dealt  out  with  great  liberality.  His  last 
visit  before  this  had  been  in  General  Jackson's  Presi- 
dency.    "I  went  to  see  the  General,"  said  he,  "and 


AXECDOTE    OF    JACKSON".  477 

lie  set  me  down  in  his  arm-chair,  and  giving  me  a  slap 
on  the  leg,  said :  '  What  a  hearty  old  cock  3011  are, 
Bradley  !  What  makes  you  so  fat  ?'  '  I  don't  know, 
unless  it  is  that  I  haven't  got  any  office,  and  don't 
want  any.'  I  ain't  much  of  an  idolater,  but  I've  kept 
those  pants  till  now  that  the  General  gave  such  a 
familiar  slap."  The  jolly  and  venerable  Senator 
weighed  about  two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Among  the  New^  Year's  receptions  the  favorites 
were  those  of  Senators  Slidell,  Seward,  Fish,  Douglas 
and  Bright,  Governor  Aiken,  Speaker  Banks,  Mr.  Pen- 
nington, &c. 


XVII. 

BUCHANAK'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

The  "  Pilgrims  "  to  AVheatland — Dan  Dougherty — Fancy  Characters 
assumed  by  the  Ladies  at  a  Ball  in  Washington — Excitement  in  the 
Federal  City — Procession  of  Citizens  to  escort  the  President  Elect — 
The  Inauguration — The  Mysterious  Old  Man  at  Capitol  Hill — Sketch 
of  Buchanan  and  Breckenridge — General  Lewis  Cass — Other  Mem- 
bers of  the  Cabinet — Arrival  of  Lord  and  Lady  Napier — Miss  Har- 
riet Lane's  first  Reception — First  Dinner  Party — Lord  Napier's 
Hospitality — Mrs.  Alexander  Slidell — Mrs.  Pose  Greenhow — New 
Regime  at  the  White  House — Superb  Entertainment  at  Governor 
Brown's — Sir  William  and  Lady  Ouseley — The  Elite  of  Society  at 
Secretary  Thompson's — Ladies  Described — The  Charming  Miss  Ellen 
Woodbury — Lady  Napier's  Party — Scene  in  the  Gallery  to  hear  the 
Vote  on  the  Kansas  Question — Lord  Napier's  Party  to  Mr.  Everett 
— Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Fames — Mrs.  Pickens. 

After  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Buchanan  at  Cincin- 
nati, Lancaster  became  a  point  of  universal  interest 
and  importance;  the  Mecca  to  ^vhich  the  hopes  of 
hungry  office-seekers  ^vere  turned.  One  day  a  per- 
sonal friend,  ^Yllo  wanted  no  office,  finding  him  sur- 
rounded by  fifteen  or  twenty  "pilgrims,"  apologized 
for  his  intrusion.  "My  dear  sir,"  cried  Mr.  Buchanan, 
"I  shall  be  most  happy  at  any  time  to  see  you,  either 
here  or  in  Washington,  the  more  especially  as  I  know 
you  arc  not  after  an  office.  This  office-hunting,  sir, 
is  a  most  miserable  life."  One  Dan  Dougherty,  on  a 
mission  to  Wheatland,  found  a  score   of  "pilgrims," 


A   FA^X^Y    BALL.  470 

and  drawing  lils  chair  close  to  the  President,  began  to 
talk  in  an  undertone.  The  ex-minister  at  the  court 
of  St.  James  did  not  relish  this  breach  of  politeness, 
and  after  manifesting  his  uneasiness  in  silence,  rose 
and  said:  "Mr.  Dougherty,  I  desire  you  to  under- 
stand, my  dear  sir,  that  I  will  not  receive  suggestions 
from  any  man  in  regard  to  my  appointments."  That 
single  shot  winged  the  flock.  It  was  understood  that 
Mr.  Buchanan's  nephew  was  to  be  his  private  secre- 
tary; his  niece  doing  the  honors  of  the  White  House. 
"The  last  hop  of  the  season"  was  given  in  the  par- 
lors of  Brown's  hotel  on  the  26th  February,  and  the 
lady  guests  agreed  to  appear  "  in  character."  Mrs. 
Bocock  of  Virginia,  wore  black,  sprinkled  with  gold 
stars  and  a  crescent  on  her  forehead  as  "Night." 
Miss  Bennett  of  Mississippi,  as  "Morning,"  was  in 
white,  with  a  long  white  veil.  Mrs.  Williams  of  Ten- 
nessee, was  "The  Goddess  of  Liberty,"  in  silk  of  "red 
white  and  blue,"  with  a  miniature  banner  and  crinison 
cap.  Miss  Faulkner,  of  Virginia,  was  "The  Daughter 
of  the  Regiment,"  looking  soldier-like  with  her  little 
drum.  Miss  Patterson,  daughter  of  General  Patter- 
son of  Philadelphia,  personated  the  Pompadour,  in 
powdered  hair  and  antique  dress.  Lady  Macbeth  was 
represented  by  Mrs.  Hopkins  of  California,  robed  in 
maroon  velvet  edged  with  fur,  and  wearing  a  gold 
crosvn  set  with  jewels.  Miss  Richardson  of  Ken- 
tucky was  the  Spanish  Queen ;  Miss  Benson  the  French 
peasant  girl;  Mrs.  Richardson,  of  Boston,  the  Count- 
ess of  Belmore,  with  dashing  scarlet  hat  and  feathers. 
Mrs.  Burt,  of  Ohio,  one  of  the  most  charming  ladies 
in  Washington,  appeared  as  Lady  Byron,  in  orange- 


480  Buchanan's  administration. 

colored  silk  covered  with  lace.  Miss  Disney,  of  Ohio, 
and  Miss  Zimmerman,  of  Baltimore,  were  attractive 
in  their  own  beanty  and  sparkling  wit,  as  was  Miss 
Patterson  of  New  York.  The  leading  characteristic 
in  the  society  of  the  capital  was  its  continual  change. 
Personal  friendships  and  strong  social  ties  were  form- 
ed among  those  temporarily  thrown  together  during 
the  sessions  of  Congress,  too  often  only  to  be  severed 
at  the  adjournment. 

Some  Italian  republicans  sent  to  Mr.  Buchanan  a 
beautiful  enamelled  gold  chronometer  watch.  On 
the  front  of  the  case  was  a  finished  likeness  of  the 
Emperor  and  Empress  of  Austria,  painted  on  the  blue 
enamel  surrounded  with  a  richly  wrought  wreath. 
The  portrait  of  the  Archduke  Maximilian  was  on  the 
back,  similarly  ornamented.  It  was  to  be  presented  be- 
fore the  inauguration,  after  which  the  President  could 
not  receive  a  gift  from  any  foreign  power  or  people. 

Once  more  the  Federal  city  was  the  scene  of  uni- 
versal excitement.  General  Pierce's  cabinet  had  their 
last  meeting ;  the  President  and  cabinet  took  posses- 
sion of  the  Vice-President's  room  for  the  night,  for  the 
convenience  of  approving  the  bills  passed  by  Con- 
gress ;  the  Judges  of  the  Sujoreme  Court  waited  on 
Mr.  Buchanan,  at  his  rooms  at  the  National ;  Mr. 
Breckenridge  had  arrived  and  was  surrounded  by  his 
friends,  and  President  Pierce  gave  his  last  reception 
to  a  committee  of  the  city  authorities  and  the  citi- 
zens. At  Wheatland  a  procession  of  citizens  came  to 
escort  Mr.  Buchanan  to  the  railway  station.  All  man- 
ner of  public  demonstrations  evinced  the  respect  and 
good  wishes  of  the  people. 


THE    MYSTERIOUS    OLD    MAN.  481 

On  the  4th  March,  an  aged  man,  apart  from  the 
crowd,  might  have  been  seen  plodding  his  way  to- 
wards Capitol  Hill.  He  had  witnessed  many  inaugur- 
ations, seated  on  a  particular  stone  in  the  same  spot; 
and  when  the  first  gun  announced  that  the  ceremonies 
were  complete,  he  would  always  rise,  and  pronounce 
the  name  of  the  new  President  and  his  date  in  the 
order  of  succession  of  Chief  Magistrates;  then  sig- 
nificantly ask:  "What  next?"  and  then  take  up  his 
line  of  march  for  his  home  in  Virginia.  It  was  said 
this  pilgrim  had  enjoyed  the  rare  honor  of  taking  by 
the  hand,  and  breaking  bread  wuth,  all  the  Presidents 
of  the  United  States.  His  youth  had  been  spent  at 
the  seat  of  government.  On  the  inauguration  of  Mr. 
Madison  in  180D,  he  took  a  somewhat  remarkable  part 
m  the  events  of  the  day.  When  the  President  retired. 
the  crowd  rushed  on,  leaving  the  avenue  nearly  de- 
serted; and  then  appeared,  on  horseback,  and  entirely 
alone,  Thomas  Jefferson.  The  old  pilgrim  pointed 
out  this  spectacle  to  two  Revolutionary  officers — Colo- 
nel Thomas  Parker  and  Major  Butler,  saying :  *^  See, 
gentlemen,  how  soon  a  great  man  becomes  neglected, 
and  his  services  forgotten  in  America,  when  he  ceases 
to  be  the  fountain  of  patronage  and  power!  What- 
ever may  be  the  Revolutionary  patriot's  and  states- 
man's politics  now,  they  were  of  the  right  sort  in 
1776,  and  led  to  the  independence  of  his  country. 
Honor  to  whom  honor  is  due!"  The  Revolutionary 
veterans  now  begged  to  be  introduced  ;  and  the  small 
party  falling  into  line,  the  retired  Chief  Magistrate 
was  escorted  down  the  avenue  l)y  a  trio  of  his  politi- 
cal opponents.    The  pilgrim's  stone  had  been  removed 


482  Buchanan's  administration. 

to  make  way  for  the  improvement  of  the  grounds ; 
but  people  looked  for  the  pilgrim  near  the  ancient 
spot,  and  listened  while  the  echoes  of  the  artillery 
were  soundiug,  for  his  impressive  words:  "James 
Buchanan,  fifteenth  President  of  the  United  States. 
What  next?"  On  that  morning  the  President  and 
Vice-President  elect  took  their  seats  in  the  carriage, 
and  moved  amid  the  cheers  of  the  crowd  to  the  capi- 
tol.  Next  to  them  was  the  Liberty  car,  surmounted 
by  a  pedestal  on  which  stood  the  Goddess  of  Liberty, 
magnificently  attired,  supported  by  a  liberty  pole 
fifty  feet  high,  and  drawn  by  six  horses.  A  full-rigged 
ship  was  drawn  by  horses ;  the  sailors  were  seen  en- 
gaged in  the  rigging,  and  on  deck,  in  their  various 
duties  as  if  at  sea.  After  Mr.  Buchanan  delivered 
his  inaugural  address,  and  took  the  oath  of  office,  he 
w^as  conducted  to  the  executive  mansion,  at  the  door 
of  which  the  ex-President  left  him.  The  inaugura- 
tion ball  was  given  in  an  immense  building  erected 
for  the  purpose  on  Judiciary  Square.  The  list  of 
managers  included  Senators  and  Representatives  from 
almost  every  Sta*te  in  the  Union,  and  fifteen  thousand 
tickets  were  sold. 

General  and  Mrs.  Pierce  took  np  their  temporary 
abode  at  Governor  Marcy's. 

James  Buchanan  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
born  in  179L  In  1820,  he  was  chosen  to  represent 
his  district  in  Congress,  continuing  ten  years  in  that 
body.  In  1831,  Jackson  tendered  to  him  the  mission 
to  St.  Petersburg.  In  this  post  he  rendered  the  coun- 
try valuable  services,  and  negotiated  the  first  com- 
mercial treaty  between  the  Ignited  States  and  Russia, 


BUCnANAN"   AXD    HIS    CABINET.  483 

securing  to  our  commerce  the  ports  of  the  Baltic  and 
Black  Seas.  In  1845,  he  accepted  the  office  of  Secre- 
tary of  State  under  President  Polk.  He  was  ap- 
pointed minister  to  England  by  General  Pierce  after 
the  return  of  Mr.  Lawrence.  At  the  time  he  became 
President  he  was  in  his  sixty-fifth  year.  John  Cabell 
Breckinridge,  thirty-six  when  nominated  for  Vice- 
President,  was  the  only  son  of  a  distinguished  mem- 
ber of  the  legal  profession,  and  a  prominent  politician 
of  Kentucky.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Smith,  President  of  Princeton  College,  New 
Jersey,  and  the  grand-daughter  of  John  Witherspoon, 
one  of  tlie  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Scotch  reformer,  John 
Knox.  General  Lewis  Cass,  the  Secretary  of  State, 
had  been  a  prominent  public  man  for  half  a  century, 
occupying  posts  of  high  distinction,  and,  whether  as  a 
military  man,  an  administrator,  a  diplomatist  or  a  states- 
man, showing  himself  capable  of  filling  the  most  emi- 
nent position.  He  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire, 
but  studied  law  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  whither  his  father 
had  removed.  Li  1831  he  was  called  by  Jackson 
to  the  War  department,  and  after  his  retirement  ac- 
cepted the  mission  to  France.  Though  seventy-five 
years  of  age,  he  was  younger  than  most  men  at 
sixty.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury-  was  Howell 
Cobb,  of  Georgia,  who  had  been  in  Congress,  the 
faithful  and  efficient  advocate  and  defender  of  the 
rinrhts  and  interests  of  his  own  section  of  the  countrv. 
John  Buchanan  Floyd,  of  Virginia,  Secretary  of  War, 
had  long  been  a  prominent  politician  in  the  western 
j^art  of  A^irginia,  and  had  been  Governor  of  the  State. 


484  Buchanan's  administration. 

He  was  connected  Avith  the  first  families,  facetiously 
called  the  *^F.  F.  Vs."  lie  was  a  fluent  speaker,  and 
was  between  forty-five  and  fifty.  Jacob  Thompson, 
of  Mississippi,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  was  a  mild 
looking  man,  about  forty.  He  had  been  a  member 
of  the  House,  and  an  able  Speaker.  Aaron  Yenables 
Brown,  was  a  Virginian,  educated  in  North  Carolina. 
He  had  been  Governor,  as  well  as  member  of  Con- 
gress, and  was  said  to  be  sixty-two.  It  was  to  him 
General  Jackson  had  addressed  his  celebrated  letter 
in  favor  of  the  annexation  of  Texas;  and  Mr.  Adams, 
in  reply  to  his  speech,  had  miscalled  his  name,  and 
dubbed  him  "Aaron  Vail  Brown."  Senator  Benton 
founded  his  famous  joke  on  this  mistake,  and  made 
him  "Aaron  Vicarious  Brown."  The  Attorney-Gen- 
eral was  Nathan  Clifford,  of  Maine,  a  portly  gentle- 
man of  forty-five,  who  had  been  minister  to  Mexico. 

Lord  Napier,  the  new  British  minister,  arrived  in 
March,  accompanied  by  Lady  Napier,  four  children, 
their  governess  and  tutor,  and  two  men  and  two 
women  servants.  His  lordship  was  only  thirty-eight. 
He  belonged  to  a  noble  Scotch  famih^,  tracing  its 
lineal  descent  as  far  back  as  the  fourteenth  century  to 
John  de  Napier.  He  had  gained  some  literary  celeb- 
rity by  his  "  Sketches  of  Russia,"  and  was  a  gentle- 
man of  refined  and  cultivated  tastes.  Lady  Napier 
was  a  woman  of  remarkable  beauty,  with  attractive 
and  engaging  manners,  and  an  amiable  character. 

The  obsequies  of  Mrs.  Joseph  Wilson,  a  lady  of 
note  in  Washington  society,  took  place  in  March. 
Mr.  Buchanan's  first  reception  was  given  on  the  6th 
March,  and  was  very  largely  attended.     All  the  for- 


THE    FOREIGN    MINISTERS.  485 

eign  legations  were  represented,  and  a  great  number 
of  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  were  present ;  while 
the  rooms  presented  a  splendid  array  of  beauty.  Miss 
Lane's  first  reception  at  the  White  House  and  the  first 
executive  dinner  party  were  given  late  in  March. 
When  news  arrived  of  the  death  of  the  President's 
nephew,  Eskridge  Lane,  the  White  House  was  closed 
the  day  the  despatch  came. 

Chevalier  Hulsemann,  ambassador  from  Austria, 
had  some  dispute  with  the  master  of  a  negro  woman 
whom  he  had  hired,  and  the  master,  meeting  the  slave 
in  the  street,  bade  her  go  home  to  his  house.  The 
w^oman  obeyed ;  and  the  worthy  Chevalier  invoked 
the  interposition  of  the  State  department,  to  defend 
his  right  as  Minister  Plenipotentiary  against  interfer- 
ence with  his  servants  !  General  Cass  wrote  him  a 
long  letter  on  international  law  and  the  privileges  of 
ministers;  a  humorous  thing,  it  was  said,  which  af- 
forded no  small  amusement  in  social  circles.  Lord 
Napier's  large  family  and  intentions  to  give  social 
entertainments,  required  a  large  house ;  and  he  pre- 
ferred Senator  Fish's  house,  in  the  center  of  the  city. 
He  was  more  given  to  hospitality  than  any  foreign 
minister  who  had  ever  lived  in  Washington. 

For  eleven  years  Judge  Andrew  Pickens  Butler  of 

South  Carolina  had  occupied  his  prominent  position 

in  the  Senate,  and  all  who  heard  him  speak,  recall  the 

picturesqueness  and  vigor  of  his  style.     "  There  was 

a  glow,  a  quick,  expansive   feeling  in  his  speaking, 

like  the  outpouring  of  an  improvisatore  ;  in  his  style 

of  thought  and  utterance  there  was  something  vivid, 

heroic  and  generous.     The  qualities  of  his  heart  soft- 
30 


486  Buchanan's  administration. 

ened  and  checked  the  impulses  of  a  fiery  temper  and 
vehement  wilh" 

One  of  the  leaders  of  fashion  ^vas  Mrs.  Alexander 
Slidell.  It  was  said  of  her:  "Her  influence  in  society 
is  remarkable.  Were  she  to  appear  attired  in  a  tunic 
and  zone,  the  ranks  of  fashion  would  swarm  with  Cor- 
delias and  Agrippinas.  Were  she  to  discover  an  eighth 
deadly  sin  in  the  vulgarity  of  robust  health,  chicken 
broth  would  become  the  rage."  Mr.  Buchanan  ten- 
dered to  F.  W.  Pickens  of  South  Carolina,  the  post 
of  ambassador  to  Eussia.  His  high  personal  charac- 
ter and  rare  abilities  well  fitted  him  for  so  distin- 
guished a  position.  Count  de  Sartiges,  the  French 
minister,  was  pronounced  by  Mr.  Marcy,  "•  a  concen- 
tration of  diplomatic  tact."  Some  wags  used  to  say 
that  with  him  the  decalogue  was  superseded  by  an 
eleventh  commandment :  "  Thou  shalt  not  be  found 
out."  "Judge  Wayne,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  passes 
along  in  dignified  abstraction,  looking  like  a  portrait 
of  St.  Jerome  by  the  tender  pencil  of  Guido." 

The  name  of  Joseph  Gales  is  inseparably  connected 
with  that  of  "The  National  Intelligencer."  "Whether 
we  view  this  venerable  chief  editor  of  the  chief  or- 
gan of  the  ^old  line  whig  party,'  as  the  acute  critic, 
the  fervid  politician,  or  the  high-minded  and  gener- 
ous man — we  have  before  us  one  of  the  ablest  men 
of  the  day."  Mr.  Harris,  the  principal  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Union,"  was  pronounced  by  the  ladies 
"a  fine  specimen  of  a  Virginia  gentleman."  The  elec- 
tion of  Judge  Nicholson  as  Senator  from  Tennessee 
was  heard  of  with  pleasure  in  the  capital,  where  he 
had  lived  four  years  as  editor  of  the  Union.     The 


MRS.  GREEXnOW,  MRS.  SEIDELL,  MRS.  GWIN.      487 

family  of  the  Postmaster-General  also  made  a  charm- 
ing addition  to  the  society  of  the  city.  Mrs.  Rose 
Greenhow,  who  was  imprisoned  as  a  rebel  during  the 
war,  was  a  sister  of  Mrs.  James  Madison  Cutts,  and 
the  aunt  of  Mrs.  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  A  journalist 
called  her  "a  bright  and  shining  light  in  those  gay 
secession  circles  which  ruled  the  court  and  cabinet 
under  the  diluted  rose-water  administration  of  Mr. 
Buchanan."  She  was  one  of  the  brilliant  coterie  of 
which  Mrs.  Slidell  and  Mrs.  Gwin  were  the  ruling 
spirits.  Mrs.  Gwin  was  the  widow  Logan  of  Texas, 
and  had  rich  lands  in  that  country.  The  grandest 
masquerade  ball  ever  given  in  Washington  was  at 
Senator  Gwin's  about  this  tim^.  Mr.  Kingman  ap- 
peared as  President  Monroe,  dressed  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gouverneur  in  the  very  court  dress  Monroe  wore  at 
the  French  court  as  ambassador.  Miss  Arabella 
Young — a  belle  of  distinction,  became  the  wife  of  Al- 
bert G.  Brown  of  Mississippi.  The  opening  of  the 
new  regime  at  the  White  House  was  very  animated. 
But  in  most  of  the  entertainments  the  Southern  ele- 
ment of  vitality  was  sadly  missed.  That  spirit,  vivac- 
ity, hilarity,  and  universal  abandon  to  the  enjoyments 
of  the  hour,  which  had  so  enlivened  society,  was 
found  wanting.  Studied  propriety  and  cold  formality 
ruled  more  decidedly;  and  the  general  expression  was 
solemn  rather  than  cheerful.  The  cabinet  receptions 
of  Buchanan's  opening  administration,  it  was  under- 
stood, would  commence  much  earlier  than  those  of 
their  predecessors.  The  known  wealth  and  elegant 
style  of  living  of  the  members,  led  to  pleasing  antic- 
ipations, and  gorgeous  preparations  of  costume.     Mr. 


488  Buchanan's  administeation. 

Benton's  health  had  improved  since  his  severe  ilhicss; 
but  his  evident  debihty  caused  sad  forebodings. 
^  In  January,  1858,  a  superb  entertainment,  said  to 
be  the  most  brilhant  ever  given  in  Washington,  came 
''off  at  the  residence  of  the  Hon.  A.  Y.  Brown  of  Ten- 
nessee. The  ball-room  was  lined  with  mirrors  extend- 
ing from  lloor  to  ceiling ;  the  drawing-rooms  on  the 
other  side  of  the  entrance-hall,  richly  furnished,  were 
adorned  with  flowers  from  the  White  House  conser- 
vatories. Mrs.  Brown,  an  elegant  looking  w^oman, 
w^ore  rose-colored  brocade  and  point  lace;  her  daugh- 
ter white  tissue  embroidered  w^ith  moss  rose-buds 
with  pearls  and  natural  flow^ers.  Among  the  distin- 
guished guests  w\as  Sir  William  Gore  Ouseley,  whose 
massive  head  and  waves  of  gray  hair  showed  intel- 
lectual dignity  suited  to  his  majestic  figure.  Lady 
Ouseley,  w^earing  a  beautiful  head-dress  and  diamonds, 
stood  near  Lady  Napier,  wdio  was  dressed  in  white, 
with  a  head-dress  of  scarlet  honeysuckles.  "  She  is 
winning  all  hearts  by  the  sweet,  womanly  attributes 
of  her  character ;  lending  a  grace  to  her  high  posi- 
tion by  never  seeming  to  lose  sight  of  her  happy 
fireside  and  domestic  pursuits."  Dr.  Charles  Mackay, 
the  English  poet,  w^as  also  present.  He  had  a  slight 
figure,  and  seemed  inclined  to  avoid  observation.  A 
fine-looking  man,  w^iose  dress  glittered  with  foreign 
orders,  was  the  Count  de  Sartiges,  "  a  matchless  dip- 
lomat, said  to  coquet  with  our  negotiations."  Mad- 
ame de  Sartiges  was  attired  in  white  embroidered 
crape,  with  flowers  of  light  green  spray.  The  finan- 
cial world  was  represented  in  Mr.  Baring,  the  great 
London   banker.      The  niece  of  Mr.  Thompson,  the 


MRS.  brown's  and  MRS.  floyd's  tarties.    489 

Secretary  of  the  Interior,  a  lady  from  Mississippi,  at- 
tracted attention  by  her  delicate,  spiritual  face,  Mrs. 
Slidell  appeared  in  a  Russian  court  dress — a  crimson 
velvet  cap  trimmed  with  rich  lace  and  ostrich  feathers, 
and  a  black  velvet  dress,  the  small  jacket  trimmed 
with  gray  fur.  In  the  center  of  the  supper-table 
stood  a  bouquet  of  immense  height,  of  japonicas  and 
hot-house  flowers.  One  ornament  was  a  mammoth 
"  nest,"  containino;  two  harnessed  swans  driven  bv  a 
man,  made  of  sugar  and  snowy  M^iite.  This  party 
was  followed  by  one  at  Governor  Floyd's,  of  unusual 
splendor,  Mrs.  Floyd  ^^was  a  type  of  the  quiet, 
serene  excellence  of  woman ;  one  of  that  class  who 
hold  aching  heads  and  bathe  hot  temples,  and  sit  and 
watch"  beside  the  couch  of  pain.  She  and  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs,  Hughes,  received  the  brilliant  company. 
The  central  figure  among  the  guests  was  the  stately 
one  of  General  Scott.  He  appeared  in  full  uniform  ; 
his  commanding  mien  and  stern  face  indicating  that 
what  he  says  is  law ;  "  his  very  step  has  a  quarter- 
deck brevity  and  decision."  A  young  officer  beside 
liim  was  Major  Calhoun,  the  son  of  the  great  states- 
man. The  wife  of  Captain  Goldsborough  of  the  navy, 
the  daughter  of  the  distinguished  William  Wirt,  was 
much  noticed  among  the  ladies.  There,  too,  was  the 
thin,  slight,  contracted  figure  and  the  striking  face, 
with  sharp,  angular  features,  of  William  IL  Seward. 
Lady  Ouseley's  expressive  face  and  exceeding  grace 
made  her  conspicuous ;  and  near  her  could  be  seen 
the  queenly  form  of  the  wife  of  the  Russian  minister, 
conversing  in  French.  The  nephew  of  the  President 
elect  was  noticed,  and  Colonel  Carpenter,  an  eminent 


490  Buchanan's  administration. 

lawyer  from  Kentuckyjand  a  *•  rising  man"  as  well  as 
a  ripe  scholar. 

Mr.  Jefferson  Davis  Avas  thus  described  by  an  eye- 
witness in  the  Senate  chamber:  "His  first  sentence 
was  the  signal  for  profound  silence  and  attention. 
His  keen  eye  literally  blazed  as  he  poured  forth  a  tor- 
rent of  witherinij^  sarcasm  and  crusliinnr  invective. 
This  burst  of  eloquence,  this  torrent  of  oratory,  spark- 
ling and  flashing,  did  not  last  more  than  thirty  min- 
utes. We  think  a  cool  criticism  will  place  Mr.  Davis 
nearer  to  Mr.  Clay  than  any  speaker  in  the  Senate. 
He  has  much  of  Clay's  purity  and  flow  of  style,  rich- 
ness of  imagination,  and  graceful  elocution." 

The  6Ute  of  Washington  society  was  assembled  at 
an  entertainment  given  at  Secretary  Thompson's. 
The  charming  hostess  had  been  a  fiivorite  from  her 
first  appearance  for  her  gracious  kindliness,  and  the 
piquant  animation  of  her  manners.  There  was  the 
usual  circle  of  Senators'  wives,  diplomats,  and  ladies 
of  the  cabinet ;  and  the  Secretary  w^as  seated  in  a 
small  anteroom,  in  vain  seeking  freedom  from  state 
cares  in  the  shape  of  applications  for  office.  The 
"far-fiimed  Benjamin  Perley  Poore,"  known  as  a  ripe 
scholar  and  an  able  wTiter,  and  noted  "for  his  consci- 
entious payment  of  a  wager  on  Mr.  Fillmore's  elec- 
tion— wheeling  a  barrel  of  apples  a  distance  of  thirty 
miles" — could  be  seen,  with  his  wife,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  Dodge.  The  ball  given  by  Miss  Saunders,  on  the 
25th  February,  was  supposed  the  closing  one  of  the 
season.  The  fair  hostess  wore  illusion  over  white  silk, 
finished  with  rose-color  quilling,  and  was  aided  by  her 
mother  in  receiving  the  guests.     Lord  Napier,  quiet 


BELLES    AND    CELEBRITIES.  491 

and  reserved  as  usual,  was  among  them,  with  his  gen- 
tle and  accomplished  wife  ;  and  Colonel  Raslof,  the 
Danish  minister,  with  expressive  face  and  light  mus- 
tache ;  also  General  H^arney,  the  hero ;  and  the  vio- 
let-eyed Miss  Lane,  supported  by  Mr.  Clingman,  "the 
bachelor  member  from  North  Carolina;"  General 
Ward,  and  the  Texas  ranger,  Major  McCullough ;  and 
one  of  the  new  administration  belles,  the  niece  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior;  and  Miss  Cass,  with 
her  striking  intellectual  face  and  melancholy  eyes ; 
and  the  host's  beautiful  niece,  with  oriental  eyes  and 
dress  of  point  lace  over  canary-colored  satin.  A  re- 
gal looking  lady,  with  stately  head  crowned  with  raven 
hair  and  princely  port,  was  a  daughter  of  Duff  Green, 
and  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Calhoun.  The  new  member  from 
Charleston  was  noted  for  polish  and  courtly  ease,  "  a 
South  Carolinian  to  his  finger  tips."  A  graceful 
beauty  with  soft  blue  eyes  and  glowing  complexion, 
was  Miss  McGuire  ;  and  Mrs.  Crittenden  wore  a  su- 
perb blue  moire  with  point  lace  trimmings ;  beside 
her  the  wife  of  the  Russian  minister.  The  successor 
to  the  lamented  Butler  in  the  Senate,  was  "  a  noble- 
browed,  middle-aged  man,  who  maintains  a  species  of 
dignity  of  all  dignities  the  most  imposing."  At  polit- 
ical dinners  he  was  a  courted  guest ;  and  he  was 
marked  as  a  gentleman  of  cultivated  mind  and  ex- 
tended intelligence.  In  speech  he  had  the  self-pos- 
session of  an  habitual  debater.  Not  far  from  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  the  youthful  form  of  one  of  the  celebrities 
of  the  day — recognized  by  the  fasliionable  eye ;  one 
who  had  lately  left  the  House  for  the  Senate  chamber. 
He  had  taken  his  position  in  that  body  as  one  of  its 


492  Buchanan's  administration. 

rising  statesmen.  Thom«is  L.  Clingman  was  com- 
plained of  by  some  as  a  cold  and  calculating  politi- 
cian ;  but  his  benevolent  acts  were  known  to  all  who 
knew  him  w^ell. 

The  season  of  Lent,  putting  an  end  to  crowded 
balls,  replaced  them  by  more  agreeable  reunions. 
One  in  March  at  the  residence  of  Sir  William  Gore 
Ouseley,  was  remembered.  The  house  w^as  illumi- 
nated ;  but  there  was  no  confusion ;  no  shouts  of 
wrangling  coachmen  outside,  nor  clamor  within  when 
the  Hungarian  footman,  in  silver  livery  and  crimson- 
topped  boots,  threw  open  the  door.  The  names  of 
guests  entering  the  reception-room  were  announced 
by  an  English  butler  in  a  stentorian  voice.  Lady 
Ouseley's  grace,  elegance  and  self-possession  were  ad- 
mirable as  usual.  One  of  a  cluster  of  gentlemen  in  the 
drawing-room  was  the  great  orator,  Mr.  Everett ;  and 
Lord  Napier  could  be  seen  talking  to  Mr.  Seward  of  the 
beauties  in  the  room.  Not  far  off  was  seen  "  the  mild 
face  of  the  widow  of  Judge  Woodbury.  Thorwaldsen 
might  have  taken  a  model  of  her  countenance  for  that 
of  the  mother  of  the  Maccabees  in  his  celebrated 
group."  There,  too,  was  her  daughter,  elegantly 
dressed  without  pretension,  and  the  wife  of  the  Sen- 
ator from  New  Jersey  ;  and  Miss  Cass,  with  her  pale 
face  and  stylish  air ;  and  the  soft-eyed  daughter  of 
the  Attorney-General ;  and  "  the  handsome  nephew 
of  our  Delaware  Senator,  of  whose  family  it  is  said — 
Before  them  the  Deluge  I "  There  was  the  Mexican 
minister  "with  his  foreign  face  and  the  rich  glow  of 
a  Titian's  head  ;"  the  quiet  and  unpretending  daugh- 
ter of  the  Secretary  of  War  ;  the  wife  of  the  Secretary 


DINNER    PARTIES.  498 

of  the  Interior,  surrounded  by  a  host,  to  each  of  whom 
she  seemed  to  have  somethmg  brilliant  to  say ;  and 
the  finished  gentleman  of  the  Virginia  school,  Mr. 
Harris,  editor  of  the  Union ;  and  the  youthful  face  of 
Mrs.  Brown,  the  wife  of  the  Postmaster-General,  the 
fair  representative  of  Tennessee.  The  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Brown  was  equally  charming  and  lovely.  Mr. 
Brown  was  said  to  have  seriously  impaired  his  fortune 
by  his  lavish  hospitalities  in  Washington.  The  par- 
ties at  his  house  were  frequent  and  very  brilliant. 
Mrs.  Brown  played  the  harp  admirably. 

Dinners  were  a  prominent  feature  of  ^yashington 
life,  and  the  cards  of  invitation  were  sometimes  issued 
two  weeks  beforehand.  They  were  often  given,  as 
were  evening  parties,  at  "those  brown-faced  Baby- 
Ions," — the  hotels.  An  elegant  party  came  off  at  the 
National  in  March,  and  among  the  fair  celebrities  were 
the  wife  of  General  McQueen,  with  a  head-dress  of 
w^ondrous  pearls,  and  the  wife  of  Senator  Brown  of 
Mississippi,  in  crimson  moire,  with  point  lace  trim- 
mings ;  with  other  distinguished  persons.  At  Presi- 
dent Buchanan's  levee  the  Turkish  admiral  created  a 
sensation.  He  and  his  two  attendants,  one  of  which 
was  the  interpreter,  were  dressed  like  other  people, 
except  a  conical  red  silk  cap  pressed  down  over  brow 
and  ear;  while  the  chief  wore  the  crescent  with  a 
splendid  diamond  star.  In  a  little  circle  of  gentle- 
men was  noticed  the  Secretary  of  War,  Governor 
Floyd. 

Mr.  A.  Y.  Brown's  figure  was  stout  and  portly ;  his 
face  open  and  full  of  benevolent  expression.  His  hair 
was  threaded  with  silver,  though  he  was  scarcely  be- 


494  buchaxak's  administration. 

yond  middle  age.  The  dignity  and  purity  of  his 
life  caused  him  to  be  respected,  and  his  speeches  in- 
dicated an  elegant  taste  for  literature  as  well  as  sound 
intellect.  At  a  reunion  at  his  house  his  daughter's 
music  on  the  harp  and  piano  formed  a  great  attrac- 
tion. The  new  Senator  from  Minnesota,  Mr.  Rice,  and 
Governor  Foote  were  present.  Lord  Napier  gave  one 
of  the  most  elegant  parties  of  this  season.  Coro- 
neted  carriages  deposited  their  inmates  at  his  door, 
and  the  pompous  butler  admitted  many  groups  of  dis- 
tinguished citizens.  The  j'outhful  belle  selected  by 
Lady  Napier  to  open  the  festivities,  was  the  daughter 
of  Captain  Dahlgren  of  the  navy.  The  British  min- 
ister gave  another  entertainment  in  May,  to  celebrate 
his  Queen's  birthday.  Lady  Napier  had  a  wreath  of 
water  lilies  in  her  hair,  surmounted  by  a  tiara  of  dia- 
monds and  emeralds.  Lord  Napier's  costume  glittered 
with  gold  lace  elaborately  wrought,  and  Baron  Stoeckl, 
the  Russian  ambassador,  appeared  in  a  coat  decorated 
with  silver  lace,  and  a  drawing-room  hat  ornamented 
with  a  curled  ostrich  plume.  The  French  minister 
wore  a  cherry-colored  badge  across  g.  coat  that  blazed 
with  imperial  stars  and  orders.  The  stately  form  of 
Mr.  Hope,  secretary  of  the  British  embassy,  was  seen 
with  left  breast  studded  with  medals,  the  Queen's  gift 
for  his  bravery  while  an  officer  in  the  Crimea.  His 
wife  was  a  beautiful,  gentle-looking  woman.  Among 
the  American  ladies,  the  wife  of  the  Senator  from 
Illinois  was  transcendent  in  beauty.  Near  at  hand 
was  M.  Bantinetti,  the  Sardinian  minister,  in  full  court 
dress;  with  the  wife  of  the  distinguished  member  from 
Virginia,  Mrs.  Faulkner,  in  blue  silk  with  flounces  o^^ 


OTHER    PARTIES.  495 

Mechlin  lace;  and  the  daughters  in  snow  wreaths  of 
illusion.  The  Speaker  of  the  House,  Mr.  Orr,  had  there 
thrown  off  the  toga  of  public  life;  and  Mr.  Breckin- 
rid;2:e,  called  one  of  the  best  bred  men  in  Washintrton, 
was  there ;  with  the  nephew  of  Lord  John  Eussell, 
speaking  with  fluency  several  languages;  Mrs.  Critten- 
den in  pea-green  moire  with  point  lace  bertha ;  Mrs. 
Pringle  of  Charleston,  in  superb  attire;  the  eminent 
banker,  Mr.  Riggs,  and  General  McQueen,  prominent 
in  society  as  an  excellent  husband,  with  the  refined 
and  agreeable  Mr.  Toucey,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Commodore  Breese,  and  Mr.  Lamar  of  Mississippi. 

A  soii^ee  mitsicale  had  been  given  by  Lady  Napier 
on  the  first  of  the  month.  Mrs.  Gwin's  fancy  ball  ex- 
cited the  fashionables  to  the  highest  pitch  of  enthusi- 
asm ;  and  scarcely  less  was  awakened  by  the  bridal 
party  given  at  the  residence  of  the  Attorney-General, 
Judge  Bhack,  in  compliment  to  his  daughter.  The 
celebrities  of  the  diplomatic  world,  French,  English, 
Spanish,  Danish,  Russian,  Austrian,  &c.,  were  seen ; 
and  the  superb  Mrs.  Slidell,  in  black  velvet  with  ban- 
deau of  pearls,  and  the  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  in  blue  silk  and  Mechlin  lace  flounces ;  Mrs. 
Crittenden,  "  with  her  perfect  coiffure,  her  air  of  so- 
ciety, her  easy  manners,"  and  the  wife  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  in  a  magnificent  blue  moire. 

The  deepest  interest  was  excited  in  Washington 
by  the  announcement  that  the  final  vote  on  the  Kan- 
sas question  would  be  taken;  and  every  corner  was 
filled  in  the  ladies'  gallery  of  the  Senate  chamber, 
with  an  assemblage  of  the  beauty  and  intelligence 
of   the  city.     There  was  unusual  excitement;    Sen- 


496  Buchanan's  administration. 

ators  talked  in  knots  and  groups.  On  the  southern 
side  numbers  were  gathered  round  a  pale,  ghastly- 
looking  person,  his  eye  bandaged  with  strips  of  white 
linen,  his  whole  aspect  denoting  feebleness.  This 
was  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis,  come  out  for  the  first  time 
since  his  illness,  to  vote  on  the  measure.  Governor 
Brown,  with  flushed  and  excited  face,  was  pachig, 
with  Senator  Toombs,  the  space  back  of  the  Speaker's 
chair.  Mr.  Hale's  jovial  face  was  overcast  with  som- 
bre expression.  Mr.  Seward  wore  a  look  of  inscru- 
table thought. 

This  most  brilliant  of  seasons  became  lively  as  it 
drew  near  its  close.  In  June  Lord  Napier  gave  a  de- 
lightful party  to  Mr.  Everett,  then  on  his  way  south- 
ward. Numerous  celebrities,  political  and  diplomatic, 
crowded  around  Mrs.  Crittenden,  to  compliment  her 
on  the  able  speech  of  her  husband  in  the  Senate ;  and 
there  was  Sir  William  Gore  Ouseley,  and  the  bache- 
lor, Colonel  Keitt,  of  South  Carolina,  devoted  to  the 
ladies ;  and  Mrs.  Gwin,  the  wife  of  the  Senator  from 
California,  most  elegantly  dressed;  and  General  Haar- 
ney,  leading  Miss  Pleasanton,  a  great  social  favorite ; 
with  Miss  Saunders,  and  Madame  Albeynerz,  wife  of 
the  Brazilian  minister;  and  Mrs.  Zulee,  daughter  of 
Mr.  Wickliffe,  a  former  Postmaster-General;  and  the 
Attorney-General,  Judge  Black,  whose  daughter  had 
so  lately  given  her  hand  to  her  father's  private  secre- 
tary. 

The  summer  heats  now  substituted  small  social 
gatherings  for  evening  receptions.  A  very  noticeable 
one  was  given  in  June  by  Mr.  Evans,  at  which  were 
Lady  Ouseley  and  her  beautiful  sister  Mrs.  Roosevelt 


ASTOFf,    LEMOX 


MISS  )KM.lEEr^(D)®JlJ)BlDlli"ro 


EnAitr  H  BHaU.K  T. 


BUCHANAN'S    LEVEE.  499 

of  Xew  York,  and  other  distinguished  persons  else- 
where named,  with  the  lovely  wife  of  Senator  Dix- 
on from  Connecticut,  and  the  stately  Senator  from 
Texas,  General  Houston,  whittling  a  heart  for  a 
charming  lady  from  Texas,  niece  of  the  host.  The 
past  winter  had  been  one  of  unprecedented  brilliancy. 
Perhaps  at  no  time  before  had  a  cabinet  included  so 
many  examples  of  beauty  and  elegant  taste,  or  had 
a  Washington  season  boasted  so  many  magnificent 
entertainments.  To  many  a  belle  the  season  had 
been  one  long  triumph ;  to  many  a  political  dinner- 
giver  it  brought  pecuniary  embarrassment.  As  early 
as  the  following  October  there  was  evidence  of  prep- 
aration for  the  season  shortly  to  open. 

On  the  29th  January,  President  Buchanan  gave 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  brilliant  levees  that  had 
been  seen  for  years.  Several  members  of  the  cabinet, 
all  the  leading  republican  Senators  and  Eepresenta- 
tives,  almost  the  entire  diplomatic  corps,  a  large  num- 
ber of  army  and  navy  officers,  and  a  splendid  array 
of  ladies  were  in  attendance.  The  President  looked 
well,  and  was  very  talkative.  One  of  the  new  ar- 
rivals was  Dr.  Middle  ton,  a  young  physician  who  had 
not  long  before  removed  to  Alabama,  and  settled 
there  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  For  expres- 
sing his  opinions  he  was  expelled  from  the  State  with 
his  family,  on  a  notice  so  short  that  he  had  hardly 
time  to  pack  his  trunks,  and  was  obliged  to  sacrifice 
his  horse  and  carriage  and  other  property. 

At  a  levee  where  Miss  Benton  and  the  daughter  of 
General  Scott  attracted  much  attention,  the  lovely 
Miss  Woodbury  of  New  Hampshire  was   surrounded 


500  BUCHANxIN'S    ADMINISTRATION". 

by  satellites.  She  was  called  ^^the  most  beautiful 
lady  that  graced  the  east  room."  Another  report 
styles  her  the  belle  of  the  city,  to  whom  "  the  palm  is 
always  given;"  "very  handsome  and  very  popular, 
dancing  well,"  and  charming  in  conversation.  At 
Newport  and  other  summer  resorts  she  was  the  reign- 
ing belle  and  the  star  of  admiration,  and  always  sur- 
rounded by  a  host  of  admirers.  Her  captivating  style 
of  beauty  was  ahvays  dwelt  on  with  rapture.  On  one 
occasion  her  rich  dress  was  described  as  corn-colored 
silk  covered  with  lace,  wdth  a  splendid  necklace  and  six 
large  bouquets  which  had  been  presented.  "  Bright 
and  beautiful"  ever,  her  presence  ^vas  the  ornament 
of  every  assembly.  "A  face  so  refined  and  sw^eet,  a 
person  so  sylph-like,  could  only  exist  in  harmony 
with  a  lovely  soul."  Her  appearance  as  "'Queen  of 
the  Gypsies,"  at  a  fancy  ball  in  Washington,  in  a  pic- 
turesque dress,  dispensing  fortunes  to  her  numerous 
admirers,  created  a  great  sensation.  One  observer 
wrote :  "  As  for  her  grace,  we  have  seen  a  whole  bat- 
talion of  admirers  surrender  their  senses  at  witnessing 
her  movements  in  the  waltz  and  polka." 

During  this  administration,  Mr.  Charles  Eames  re- 
turned from  Venezuela,  where  he  had  been  minister 
four  years,  and  Mrs.  Eames,  the  daughter  of  Judge 
Campbell  of  New  York,  became  a  leader  in  Washing- 
ton society.  She  gave  informal  receptions,  and  made 
her  house  exceedingly  attractive  as  the  resort  of  the 
most  distino-uished  men  and  charmino;  w^omen.  Her 
powers  of  mind,  and  quick  perceptions,  her  brilliant 
wit  and  droll  way  of  saying  clever  things,  delighted 
every  one.     She  had  a  dry  quaint  humor  which  is 


MRS.  PICKEXS.  501 

very  rare,  and  adds  a  wonderful  charm  to  conversa- 
tion. After  the  death  of  her  husband  in  1867  she 
went  to  Europe. 

The  wife  of  Governor  Pickens  of  South  Carolina, 
was  a  native  Virginian.  Her  maiden  name  was  Lucy 
Holcombe,  and  she  was  born  in  Lynchburg.  The 
family  afterwards  removed  to  La  Grange,  Tenn.,  fifty 
miles  from  Memphis,  and  subsequently  to  Marshall, 
Texas,  where  she  was  married  to  Governor  Pickens 
immediately  before  his  departure  to  St.  Petersburg. 
Her  first  cousin  was  Professor  Holcombe  of  the  uni- 
versity of  Virginia. 

Mrs.  Sallie  Ward  Hunt,  the  distinguished  beauty, 
of  Kentucky,  w^as  always  a  favorite  in  the  most  bril- 
liant circles  of  the  capital.  Her  first  husband  was 
the  son  of  an  American  minister  at  the  British  Court. 
After  her  marriage  to  Dr.  Hunt,  she  lived  several 
years  in  New  Orleans  in  regal  splendor.  She  is  now 
a  widow,  residing  at  Louisville,  Ky. 


XVIII. 

BUCHANAN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

The  Expected  Visit  of  the  Prince  of  Wales — His  Arrival — General 
Cass  introduced  by  Lord  Lyons — The  Prince  at  the  White  House — 
Visits  the  Capital — Reception  in  Honor  of  Him — Game  at  Ten-p^ns 
with  Miss  Lane — Diplomatic  Dinner,  and  Evening  Reception — The 
Prince  at  the  Tomb  of  Washington — Dinner  at  Lord  Lyons' — The 
Prince  a  "  Heart-smasher  " — Sketch  of  Harriet  Lane — Her  Marriage 
— Letter  of  Queen  Victoria — Of  the  Prince  of  Wales — Political 
Excitement — Mr.  Crittenden's  Great  Speech — His  Dinner  Party — 
Senator  Toombs  and  General  Scott — The  President's  last  Levee — 
Display  of  Martial  Preparation  around  Washington — The  Peace 
Commissioners — Imposing  Scene  of  Counting  the  Electoral  Votes — 
Noted  Men  present  and  their  Manifestations  of  Interest — Douglas 
and  Lane — Abraham  Lincoln  declared  J*resident — Quiet  dispersion 
of  the  People. 

The  Prince  of  Wales  was  expected  to  visit  Mr. 
Buchanan  as  a  private  gentleman,  and  not  in  royal 
state.  The  well-bred  citizens  of  Washington  under- 
stood this,  and  arrangements  were  made  accordingly. 
He  was  to  arrive  by  a  special  train,  on  the  3d  October, 
18G0,  and  proceed  directly  to  the  executive  mansion; 
the  company  invited  to  meet  him  at  dinner  consisting 
of  the  members  of  the  cabinet  and  their  wives,  with 
a  few  other  ladies,  the  British  minister  and  his  first 
Secretary  of  Legation.  Another  dinner-party  at  the 
President's  was  to  be  attended  bv  the  Foreim  Minis- 
ters,  Senators,  the  Mayor  of  Washington,  the  Assistant 


THE    PRINCE    OF    WALES.  503 

Secretary  of  State,  and  their  wives, besides  the  Prince's 
suite.  Lord  Lyons  was  to  give  a  dinner  on  the  fol- 
lowing day. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  royal  train,  awaited  by  a 
thousand  spectators  at  the  station,  General  Cass  was 
introduced  by  Lord  Lyons  to  the  Prince,  and  with 
the  minister  and  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  accompa- 
nied him  to  the  White  House.  General  Cass  pre- 
sented His  Eoyal  Highness  to  the  President,  while 
Lord  Lyons  introduced  the  suite.  The  gates  of  the 
President's  grounds,  meanwhile,  were  closed  against 
intrusion  and  guarded  by  the  police.  General  Cass 
having  been  born  before  the  treaty  of  peace — was 
born  a  British  subject  according  to  the  theory  of  the 
British  constitution.  He  had  been  present  at  the 
coronation  of  Queen  Victoria. 

The  next  day  the  Prince  and  suite  visited  the  Cap- 
itol, and  inspected  the  various  halls,  rooms,  works  of 
art,  &c.  At  twelve  the  President  gave  a  public  re- 
ception in  his  honor,  held  in  the  east  room ;  Mr. 
Buchanan  and  party  standing  in  the  center,  the  per- 
sons introduced  entering  at  the  left-hand  door,  and 
leaving  by  the  large  folding-doors  on  the  right.  There 
was  a  great  crowd  and  rush,  and  many  of  the  ladies 
were  magnificently  dressed,  though  full  dress  was  not 
insisted  on.  The  Prince  wore  his  usual  blue  coat  and 
gray  pants,  and  with  ungloved  hands,  stood  on  the 
right  of  the  President — Lord  Lyons  near  him — the 
royal  guest  bowing  his  head  to  those  who  were  pre- 
sented. Several  of  the  ladies  succeeded  in  shaking 
hands  with  him.  A  boy  four  years  old,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant of  Robert  Bruce,  dressed  in  Highland  garb, 
31 


504  Buchanan's  administration. 

attracted  his  particular  notice.  In  half  an  hour  he 
was  so  much  fatigued  that  the  reception  was  closed, 
to  the  chagrin  of  many  who  were  unable  to  effect  an 
entrance.  After  luncheon  the  royal  party  went  to 
see  the  public  buildings.  Accompanied  by  Miss  Lane 
and  Mrs.  Thompson,  the  wife  of  the  Secretary,  the 
Prince  and  his  party  then  visited  Mrs.  Smith's  Insti- 
tute for  young  ladies,  remaining  two  hours,  and  ex- 
pressing themselves  delighted  with  the  visit,  especially 
to  the  gymnasium,  where  the  royal  guest  enjoyed 
several  games  of  ten-pins  with  Miss  Lane,  laughing 
heartily  at  the  sport,  and  exorcising  himself  in  the 
gymnastics.  The  society  of  ladies  seemed  the  more 
agreeable  to  him  from  his  long  deprivation  of  it,  and 
though  too  tired  for  receptions  he  was  never  weary 
of  croimr  out  with  his  charmino;  hostess. 

Mr.  Buchanan's  conversational  powers  attracted  the 
admiration  of  his  English  guests  at  the  dinner.  It  was 
rather  a  bore  to  the  Prince,  however,  to  attend  the  di- 
plomatic dinner  given  the  same  evening  at  the  Presi- 
dent's— wdiich  w^as  a  splendid  affair,  though  enjoj-ed 
but  indifferently  by  him.  Miss  Lane  sat  between  him 
and  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  ;  Madame  Gerolt  and  Mrs. 
Slidell  sat  on  either  side  the  President.  At  nine  Miss 
Lane  held  her  reception,  for  which  only  two  or  three 
hundred  cards  were  issued,  as  the  object  was  to  give 
the  favored  guests  an  opportunity  of  observing  the 
elaborate  fireworks.  The  Prince,  with  the  President 
and  Miss  Lane,  appeared  on  the  balcony,  and  was 
heartily  cheered  by  the  crowd. 

The  next  morning  the  royal  party,  accompanied  by 
the  ladies  of  distinction,  the  President  and  Lord  Lyons, 


THE  PRIXCE  AT  TUE  TOMB  OF  WASHINGTON,     505 

went  to  Mount  Yernon.  Mrs,  Riggs,  Vice-Regent  of 
the  Mount  Vernon  Association,  acted  as  chaperone  on 
the  grounds,  and  other  visitors  were  excluded.  The 
Prince  stood  reverently  uncovered  in  the  room  where 
Washington  died,  and  all  expressed  gratification  at 
the  taste  and  neatness  displayed  in  the  arrangements. 
The  marine  band,  in  a  neighboring  thicket,  played  a 
solemn  dirge  while  the  party  stood  before  the  tomb 
of  "Washington,  the  Prince,  the  President  and  the 
party  grouped  in  front,  and  a  cloud  softening  the  sun- 
light. Royalty  thus  contemplated  the  last  abode  of 
one  pronounced  a  rebel  and  a  traitor  by  his  ancestors, 
and  now  in  rank  above  the  kings  of  earth.  The  scene 
w^as  indeed  historical, .  At  the  request  of  the  ladies, 
the  Prince  planted  a  young  horse-chestnut  tree  on 
a  little  mound,  in  commemoration  of  his  visit 

On  their  return  the  steamer  went  slowly  up  the 
Potomac;  the  deck  was  cleared  for  dancing,  and  the 
Prince  danced  with  Miss  Lane  and  Miss  Slidell;  also 
with  Miss  Gwin,  Miss  Riggs  and  Miss  Ledyard.  The 
party  drove,  on  landing,  to  Lord  Lyons'  house  and  re- 
mained to  dinner.  Lord  Lyons'  magnificent  service 
of  plate  was  displayed  to  advantage.  In  the  center 
of  the  table  stood  the  large  golden  tray,  with  three 
ornamental  gold  vases,  which,  with  the  porcelain 
vases  at  the  ends  of  the  table,  were  filled  with  flowers. 
On  the  side-boards  and  rich  beauffets  more  splendid 
plate  appeared.  On  either  side  of  the  host  were 
Miss  Lane  and  the  Prince.  Opposite  sat  the  Presi- 
dent, with  the  cabinet  and  diplomatic  corps. 

The  Prince  remained  at  the  White  House  that 
night,  and  on  the  Cth,  proceeded  to  Acquia  Creek,  on 


506  Buchanan's  administration. 

the  way  to  Richmond.  He  took  an  affectionate  leave 
of  his  host  and  hostess,  with  mutual  wishes  for  their 
future  health  and  prosperity.  When  the  royal  party 
Avas  gone,  Washington  again  assumed  its  usual  "re- 
cess" look,  and  the  fashionable  quarter  its  aspect  of 
solitude.  Sir  Henry  Holland  remained  till  Monday, 
the  guest  of  Mr.  Buchanan.  The  ladies  all  agreed 
that  the  young  Prince  was  a  "heart-smasher," — and 
many  of  the  rough  old  fellow^s,  too,  were  captivated. 
The  diplomatic  corps,  according  to  etiquette,  made  no 
personal  calls,  but  merely  left  their  cards. 

It  will  be  but  meager  justice  to  Miss  Lane,  to  give 
a  brief  sketch  of  her,  w^hich  may  be  appropriate  here. 

Miss  Harriet  Lane  is  the  yoxmgest  child  of  Elliott 
T.  Lane  and  Jane  Buchanan,  and  passed  the  earliest 
years  of  her  life  in  the  village  of  Mercersburg,  in  the 
midst  of  an  intelligent  and  refined  society.  Left  an 
orphan  at  nine  years  of  age,  though  independent  in 
fortune,  she  accepted  a  home  w^ith  her  uncle  James, 
preferring  his  guardianship  to  that  of  any  other  rela- 
tive. She  attended  school  in  Lancaster.  When 
twelve  years  old  she  was  sent  with  her  sister  to  a  se- 
lect boarding-school  in  Charlestown,  Ya.,  w^here  they 
remained  three  years.  Afterwards,  Harriet  was  sent 
to  the  convent  in  Georgetown,  a  justly  celebrated 
seminary.  Li  her  visits  every  Saturday  and  Sunday 
to  her  uncle — then  Secretary  of  State,  she  met  the 
best  society  of  the  country. 

Miss  Lane  was  a  blonde,  with  deep  violet  eyes, 
golden  hair,  classic  features  and  bright  expression,  and 
a  mouth  of  peculiar  beauty.  Her  form  had  a  statu- 
esque majesty,  and  every  movement  was  grace.     She 


SKETCH    OF    MISS    HARRIET    LANE.  507 

was  noted  for  good  taste  in  dress.  At  Wheatland 
she  entertained  her  uncle's  friends  and  foreign  visi- 
tors, with  lady-like  courtesy  and  cordiality.  She  was 
in  the  habit  of  reading  the  newspapers  to  her  uncle, 
and  afterwards  discussing  with  him  the  political  and 
literary  subjects  of  the  day.  Her  domestic  occupa- 
tions were  frequently  interrupted  by  visits  to  the 
principal  cities,  and  in  Virginia. 

She  first  met  Mr.  Johnston  at  Bedford  Springs  in 
1849,  during  the  annual  visit  made  there  by  herself 
and  Mr.  Buchanan.  In  1852  she  accompanied  her 
uncle  on  his  mission  to  England.  Her  first  appeal^ 
ance  at  the  Queen's  drawing-room,  produced  a  marked 
impression ;  and  on  many  occasions  she  received  flat- 
tering attention  from  the  Queen  and  other  members 
of  the  Royal  Family.  The  years  spent  by  her  in  Eng- 
land were  very  happy  ones,  and  she  greatly  enjoyed 
a  tour  in  Europe  and  the  months  spent  in  Paris  with 
Mr.  Mason's  family. 

Jefferson  Davis,  who  was  not  friendly  to  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan, remarked  to  Dr.  Craven  at  Fortress  Monroe: 
^•'The  White  House  under  the  administration  of  Bu- 
chanan, approached  more  nearly  to  my  idea  of  a  Re- 
publican Court,  than  the  President's  house  has  ever 
done  before  since  the  days  of  Washington."  This 
brilliancy  was  in  part  owing  to  Miss  Lane. 

It  was  a  memorable  occasion  when  the  Prince  of  • 
Wales  stood  beside  the  President  before  the  gateway 
of  Washington's  tomb ;  when  the  great  grandson  of 
George  the  Third  paid  homage  to  the  memory  of  the 
chief  who  took  away  the  briglitest  jewel  in  his  impe- 
rial crown  j  when  the  heir  to  William  the  Conqueror's 


508  BUCHANAN'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

throne  bowed  his  knee  before  the  dust  of  the  greatest 
rebel  of  all  timel 

After  the  Prince's  return  to  England,  the  Queen 
sent  the  following  autograph  letter  to  the  President : 

^  "Windsor  Castle,  November  19th,  18 GO. 

^^My  Good  Friend, — Your  letter  of  the  6th  ult.,  has  afforded  me  the 
greatest  pleasure,  containing  as  it  does,  such  kind  expressions  with  re- 
gard to  my  son,  and  assuring  me  that  the  character  and  object  of  his 
visit  to  you  and  to  the  United  States,  have  been  fully  appreciated,  and 
that  his  demeanor  and  the  feelings  evinced  by  him  have  secured  to  him 
your  esteem  and  the  general  good-will  of  your  countrymen. 

"  I  purposely  delayed  the  answer  to  your  letter  until  I  should  be 
able  to  couple  with  it,  the  announcement  of  the  Prince  of  "Wales'  sate 
return  to  his  home.  Contrary  winds  and  stress  of  weather  have  much 
retarded  his  arrival ;  but  we  have  been  fully  compensated  for  the  anxi- 
ety which  this  long  delay  has  naturally  caused  us,  by  finding  him  in 
such  excellent  health  and  spirits,  and  so  delighted  with  all  he  has  seen 
and  experienced  in  his  travels. 

•'  He  can  not  sufficiently  praise  the  great  cordiality  with  which  he 
has  been  everywhere  greeted  in  your  country,  and  the  friendly  manner 
in  which  you  have  received  him  ;  and  whilst,  as  a  mother,  I  am  most 
grateful  for  the  kindness  shown  him,  I  feel  impelled  to  express,  at  the 
same  time,  how  deeply  I  have  been  touched  by  the  many  demonstra- 
tions of  affection  personally  toward  myself  which  his  presence  has 
called  forth. 

"  I  fully  reciprocate  towards  your  nation  the  feelings  thus  made  ap- 
parent, and  look  upon  them  as  forming  an  important  link  to  connect 
two  nations  of  kindred  origin  and  character,  whose  mutual  esteem  and 
friendship  must  always  have  so  material  an  influence  upon  their  respect- 
ive development  and  prosperity. 

'*  The  interesting  and  touching  scene  at  the  grave  of  General  Wash- 
ington, to  which  you  allude,  may  be  fitly  taken  as  the  type  of  our  pres- 
ent feelings  and  I  trust,  of  our  future  relations. 

'*  The  Prince  Consort,  who  heartily  joins  in  the  expressions  contained 
in  this  letter,  wishes  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  you,  as  we  both  wish 
to  be  to  Miss  Lane.     Believe  me  always  your  good  friend, 

..        .  "  VlCTORI.^    R.'' 


MISS    lane's    MAPwRIAGE.  509 

The  Prince  of  Wales  sent  the  followincr  note : 


'O 


*' Jaffa,  March  29th,  18G2. 

'*  Dear  Mr.  Buchanan^ — Permit  me  to  request  that  you  will  accept 
the  accompanying  portrait  as  a  slight  mark  of  my  grateful  recollection 
of  the  hospitable  reception  and  agreeable  visit  at  the  White  House,  oa 
the  occasion  of  my  tour  in  the  United  States. 

*'  Believe  me,  that  the  cordial  welcome  which  was  then  vouchsafed  to 
me  by  the  American  people  and  by  you  as  their  Chief,  can  never  be  ef- 
faced from  my  memory. 

""  I  venture  to  ask  you  at  the  same  time  to  remember  me  kindly  to 
Miss  Lane,  and  believe  me,  dear  Mr.  Buchanan,  your  very  truly, 

*'  Albert  Edward." 

The  Prince  also  presented  to  Miss  Lane  a  set  of 
engravings  of  the  Queen  and  other  members  of  the 
Royal  Family.  He  informed  Lord  Lyons  that  he 
had  asked  the  young  lady  to  accept  them,  and  would 
send  tliem  through  the  minister  from  Portland.  This 
was  done  :  Lord  Lyons  placing  them  in  the  hands  of 
the  lady  to  whom  they  were  addressed. 

In  January,  1866,  Miss  Harriet  Lane  was  married 
to  Mr.  Henry  Elliott  Johnston.  After  spending  a 
month  or  two  in  Cuba,  they  took  up  their  residence 
in  Baltimore. 

Among  the  queens  of  society  wherever  she  w^ent, 
w\as  the  beautiful  wife  of  Mr.  Alexander  Jeffrey,  Rosa 
Ycrtner  Jeffrey.  In  her  visits,  brief  as  they  were, 
the  impression  she  made  was  always  abiding.  This 
lady's  literary  fame — as  one  of  America's  most  cele- 
brated poets  and  prose  writers,  though  endearing  her 
to  thousands  who  do  not  know  her,  has  not  lessened 
the  influence  of  her  personal  merits.  She  deserves  a 
more  extended  mention  than  this  volume  can  afford. 

On  the  last  day  of  1860,  "  The  whole  city  is  on  the 


510  Buchanan's  administration. 

tiptoe  o.  expectation  in  regard  to  the  President's 
special  message  on  South  Carolina  affairs.  Not  only 
politicians,  but  nearly  all  families  accustomed  to  at- 
tend to  public  matters,  took  an  early  start  this  morn- 
ing. Breakfasts  -were  dispatched  at  a  comparatively 
primitive  hour,  and  with  amazing  celerity,  and  before 
eleven  o'clock  carriages  and  other  private  vehicles 
were  competing  with  crowded  omnibuses  for  the 
quickest  arrival  at  the  capitol,  while  the  sidewalks 
of  Pennsylvania  avenue  were  densely  filled  with  pe- 
destrians of  all  ages  and  ranks  and  of  both  sexes, 
tramping  through  the  snow-slush  to  the  same  point. 

"  The  President's  house  was  besieged  all  the  fore- 
noon by  anxious  inquirers;  but  Mr.  Buchanan,  quietly 
engaged  in  the  library  with  his  secretaries,  was  denied 
to  all  visitors.  At  a  quarter  before  twelve  the  cabinet 
was  summoned.  Among  the  first  arrivals  were  Secre- 
taries Thompson  and  Thomas,  thus  putting  a  stop  to 
the  unfounded  rumors  respecting  their  resignations. 
No  f)olitical  news  being  within  ear-shot  of  even  the 
detectives,  the  inquisitive  crowd  was  obliged  to  be 
content  with  observing  the  preparations  by  the  work- 
men and  servants  for  the  New  Year's  day  reception 
on  the  morrow. 

"  Miss  Lane  having  returned  on  Saturday  evening 
from  Philadelphia,  whither  she  had  gone  to  attend  as 
first  bridesmaid  the  marriage  of  her  friend  Miss  Mac- 
Alister  to  M.  Berghmann  of  the  Belgian  Legation, 
will,  by  her  presence,  add  to  the  attraction  of  the  pub- 
lic reception  to-morrow.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  diplo- 
matic corps  will  be  received ;  they  and  the  different 
attaches  to   the  legations  will  appear  in  full  court 


^^TnE    LITTLE    GIANT.'*  511 

costume.  Next  in  order  will  come  the  Chief-Justice 
and  the  associate  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court;  then 
the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  in  uniform,  pre- 
ceded by  Lieutenant-General  Scott  and  the  senior 
commodore  now  in  WashintJ^ton.  As  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  members  of  the  cabinet,  of  the  Sena- 
tors and  Representatives,  have  the  entree  about  the 
same  time,  the  blue  and  green  parlors  will  present  a 
dazzling  show  of  brilliant  and  many-colored  dresses 
and  of  distinguished  men  and  lovely  women.  The 
general  reception  wull  begin  at  twelve.  The  Presi- 
dent will  receive  his  fellow-citizens  in  the  blue  parlor, 
whence  they  will  pass  to  the  green  parlor,  into  the 
east  room,  and  thence  make  their  eij^ress  throuiz:h  the 
great  front  window,  between  which  and  the  pavement 
a  temporary  bridge  has  been  constructed." 

^•'The  feature  at  the  capitol  to-day,  (January  3, 1861,) 
was  the  speech  of  Judge  Douglas,  w^ho  followed  Sena- 
tor Baker  of  Oregon.  The  ^Little  Giant'  was  never 
in  better  voice,  health  or  spirits,  and  his  speech  was 
almost  Websterian  in  its  power,  logic  and  eloquence. 
The  republicans  do  not  like  it,  because  he  laid  the 
present  troubles  at  the  doors  of  the  politicians  of  their 
party ;  and  the  secessionists  do  not  speak  favorably 
of  it,  because  denied  the  right  of  secession ;  but  the 
great  mass  of  the  middle-men,  the  center  and  heart 
and  main  dependence  of  the  country  in  the  hour  of 
danger,  applaud  it  as  one  of  the  greatest  speeches  de- 
livered in  the  Senate  since  the  days  of  Henry  Clay. 
The  galleries  were  again  crowded  to  suffocation." 

A  few  days  later :  ^'  The  affairs  of  the  country  are 
every   day   getting    into   a    more   critical    condition. 


512  Buchanan's  administration. 

Wave  succeeds  wave,  and  the  ship  of  state  labors 
fearfully  in  an  angry  sea.  Mr.  Crittenden's  glorious 
speech,  delivered  during  the  morning  hour  of  the 
Senate  to-day,  is  the  topic  of  eulogy  in  every  circle 
to-night.  The  venerable  Senator  had  an  interview 
of  two  hours  with  the  President  on  Saturday.  Mr. 
Toombs  is  willing  to  stand  by  Mr,  Crittenden's  propo- 
sition, and  in  this  he  speaks  for  the  whole  South. 
Why  will  not  the  North  meet  the  South  on  these 
terms  of  accommodation  ?  Can  either  section  expect 
anything  better  ?  The  universal  sentiment  among 
the  Union  members  of  Congress  and  the  most  influ- 
ential circles  in  Washington  is  in  favor  of  this  propo- 
sition. The  President  elect  is  understood  distinctly 
to  favor  it.  Here,  then,  is  a  ground  on  which  all  par- 
ties may  meet  and  save  the  Union,  and  preserve  the 
country  from  the  disasters  which  are  about  to  be 
brought  upon  it  by  short-sighted  politicians. 

"  Senator  Crittenden  gave  a  dinner  party  at  the 
National  to  about  thirty  of  his  personal  friends, 
among  whom  were  Lieutenant-General  Scott,  Judges 
Nelson,  Campbell,  Clifibrd  and  Catron  of  the  Supreme 
Bench,  several  Senators  and  Representatives  of  all 
parties,  and  prominent  citizens  of  Washington.  The 
brother  of  Major  Anderson,  who  had  returned  from  a 
visit  to  Fort  Sumter,  was  also  among  the  guests. 

"  Senator  Seward  has  had  a  late  dinner  party  at  his 
residence  to-night,  at  which  many  conservative  men 
of  all  parties  were  present,  and  not  a  few  that  were 
at  Senator  Crittenden's  dinner.  There  was  consider- 
able excitement  among  the  extremists  North  and 
South,  consequent  upon  the  belief  that  the  two  Sen- 


ASPECT   AND   FEELING    OF    THE    TIMES.  513 

atorial  dinner  parties  given  by  Crittenden  and  Sew- 
ard are  intended  to  sell  them  out.  The  subject  has 
been  discussed  to-night  by  the  strict  Chicago  platform 
republicans,  and  the  result  will  be  a  stern  resistance 
in  the  Senate  and  House  against  any  compromise." 
It  was  plain  that  a  broad  and  satisfactory  compromise 
must  be  initiated  within  ten  days,  or  the  country  must 
choose  between  the  recognition  of  an  independent 
southern  confederacy  or  the  suicidal  folly  of  a  civil 
war.  "The  defeat  of  Crittenden's  compromise  creates 
intense  feeling.  Nearly  every  moderate  democrat  de- 
clares that  'now  the  thing  is  up,  and  we  must  prepare 
for  the  w^orst.'" 

Ex-President  Tyler,  one  of  the  commissioners  from 
Virginia  to  consult  with  the  Executive  on  the  state  of 
the  country  and  advise  some  measures  of  adjustment, 
arrived  in  January.  He  was  in  precarious  health. 
He  had  an  interview  with  the  President,  at  which 
several  prominent  gentlemen  were  present.  Mr. 
Tyler  was  invited  to  sojourn  at  the  White  House. 

Such  extracts  may  show  the  effect  of  the  times 
upon  the  aspect  and  feeling  of  social  circles.  It  is 
no  part  of  the  design  of  this  book  to  touch  on  politi- 
cal matters. 

''At  a  private  dinner  party  yesterday,  high  words 
passed  between  Senator  Toombs  and  Lieutenant  Gen- 
eral Scott.  According  to  relations  in  Congressional 
circles,  the  conversation  turned  on  the  sending  of 
troops  to  Charleston,  when  Senator  Toombs  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that  the  people  there  would  sink 
'  The  Star  of  the  West,'  by  which  reinforcements  were 
sent.     The   General,  with  much  earnestness,   asked 


514  BUCHANAN'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

whether  it  was  possible  that  he,  as  an  American,  de- 
sired such  an  event,  Mr,  Toombs  replied  affirmatively, 
and  said  that  those  who  sent  the  vessel  there  should 
be  sunk  with  her.  General  Scott  thereupon  remarked 
that  he  was  responsible  for  what  he  said,  and  Mr. 
Toombs  responded,  '  You  have  known  me  for  twenty- 
five  years,  and  are  aware  that  I  too  am  responsible.' 
The  matter  here  ended ;  but  the  subject,  it  is  said,  is 
in  the  hands  of  friends." 

"  The  President's  levee  was  held  on  the  15th  Jan- 
uary, an  elegant  affair.  Probably  a  similar  scene 
never  occurred  in  the  White  House  before.  With 
very  few^  individual  exceptions,  the  party  that  elected 
Mr.  Buchanan  to  the  office  he  now  holds,  was  absent. 
The  party  that  opposed  him  and  has  increased  in  num- 
bers every  day  since  it  did  so,  was  represented  by  its 
best  men  now  in  Washington.  One  of  the  officers 
of  the  White  House  remarked  at  the  close  of  the 
levee,  that  he  never  saw  so  many  republicans  there 
before. 

**  Mr.  Buchanan  was  warmly  greeted  by  the  repub- 
licans, and  he  conversed  pleasantly  with  each  of  them. 
Lieutenant  General  Scott  was  absent  on  business,  but 
several  of  his  staff  w^ere  present;  also  General  Harney 
and  a  number  of  other  army  and  naval  officers.  Col- 
onel Hayne,  who  comes  here  claiming  to  represent 
South  Carolina  as  a  separate  confederacy,  approached 
the  President  at  the  White  House  to-day;  but  the 
President  promptly  disposed  of  him  by  not  recogniz- 
ing him  as  anything  else  than  a  citizen  of  another 
State.     The  interview  w^as  exceedingly  brief" 

Mr.  Buchanan  gave  his  last  levee  on  the  12th  Feb- 


THE    FAREWELL   LEVEE.  515 

ruary,  18G1.  It  -svas  most  largely  attended,  and  the 
most  brilliant  of  all  during  his  administration ;  and 
it  was  stated  that  five  thousand  were  in  attendance; 
amid  the  throng  the  venerable  heads  of  the  Peace 
Congress  being  prominent,  and  all  the  leaders  of  the 
incoming  administration  who  were  in  the  city.  Gov- 
ernor Chase  of  Ohio  was  there :  and  the  representa- 
tives of  the  army  and  the  navy  were  attired  in  their 
gorgeous  warlike  trappings. 

The  President  seemed  well  satisfied  that  the  end 
of  his  office  drew  near,  and  Miss  Lane  never  did  the 
honors  more  gracefully.  She  was  dressed  in  pure 
white,  and  was  surrounded  all  the  evening  with  kosts 
of  friends  and  admirers,  each  of  whom  had  a  parting 
word  to  say.  The  number  of  ladies  present  was  un- 
usually large,  and  everybody  seemed  to  be  merry. 
The  band  played  "Away  down  in  Dixie,"  and  closed 
with  "  Yankee  Doodle.'* 

The  display  of  martial  preparation  about  Washing- 
ton gave  rise  to  rumors  that  caused  many  persons  to 
regard  it  as  in  a  most  perilous  position.  Yet  matters 
in  the  Federal  city  continued  to  go  on  pretty  much 
in  the  old  style,  and  the  scenes  were  similar  to  others 
just  prior  to  inauguration  day  in  the  more  staid  and 
secure  times  of  the  republic.  In  social  matters  there 
was  little  change.  Fashionable  "hops"  were  less  fre- 
quent, but  the  deficiency  was  made  up  in  dinner  par- 
ties and  other  more  private  entertainments.  The 
occasional  appearance  on  the  avenue  of  small  squads 
of  the  uniformed  "reo:ulars"  broui^ht  to  mind  the 
startling  stories  about  the  seizure  of  the  capital :  but 
the  very  air  and  faces  of  those  guardians  of  the  pub- 


516  Buchanan's  administration. 

lie  peace  tended  to  satisfy  one  that  nothing  was 
further  from  them  than  the  idea  of  actual  service 
in  that  locality.  The  jolly  darkies  and  "gemmen" 
of  leisure  moved  carelessly  about,  whistling  "Yankee 
Doodle,"  "  The  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  and  other 
national  melodies,  as  though  peace  had  just  been 
declared  with  some  hostile  foreign  power;  and  all 
seemed  very  odd  to  those  who  came  expecting  to 
elbow  their  way  through  fields  of  bayonets  and 
revolvers,  instead  of  white  kids,  white  vests  and 
rustling  silks. 

"'  The  Peace  Commissioners,  after  adjournment,  sit 
long  at  table,  drink  their  wine  with  gusto  for  men  who 
come  on  such  a  solemn  errand,  and  ^coerce'  the  best  of 
Havanas  in  great  profusion,  looking  remarkably  wise, 
and  saying  but  little  when  inquired  of  as  to  the  prob- 
able result  of  their  labors  of  love  and  patriotism. 
Last  evening  a  large  number  of  them,  including  the 
Rhode  Island  and  other  peace  delegations,  had  a  jolly 
old  time  at  the  house  of  Governor  Corwin.  Friend 
Cheever,  by  the  bye,  the  dashing  representative  from 
^  Nyatt,'  is  assisting  Mr.  Corwin  this  winter  in  doing 
the  honors  of  his  hospitable  mansion.  The  throngs 
about  the  hotels  and  the  capitol  are  immense.  Mem- 
bers are  button-holed  about  most  unmercifully,  and 
from  the  occasional  sentences  overheard  in  passing, 
it  is  very  evident  that  visitors  here  do  not  contem- 
plate the  destruction  of  the  offices  if  they  do  that  of 
the  government.  Thurlow  Weed  is  here,  doing  his 
best  to  get  some  kind  of  temporary  or  permanent 
fastening  about  the  bodies  of  the  border  States.  His 
idea  is  that  if  Uncle  Sam  is  not  rich  enough  to  keep 


COUXTIXG  THE  ELECTORAL  VOTES.      517 

house  alone,  he  could  get  along,  perhaps,  for  awhile 
by  taking  boarders." 

The  scene  of  counting  the  electoral  votes  was  thus 
described  :   "  The  Senators  having    appeared   in  the 
hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,,  and  the  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States  having  assumed  the 
chair  of  the   Speaker,  the   committee   appointed    to 
count  the  electoral  votes,  and  the  other  officials  being 
properly  disposed  of  about  the  Speaker's  and  Clerk's 
desks,  let  us  look  down  upon  the  unique  and  imposing 
throng,  and   observe   who   compose  it.     Directly  in 
j'ront  of  the  gallery,  and  facing  the  Vice-President 
whose  duty  it  is  to  declare  the  result  of  the  vote,  is 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  of  Illinois.     He  is  at  once  the 
center  of  all  eyes  as  well  as  seated  in  the  center. 
On  his  right  is  the  Premier  of  the  incoming  admin- 
istration— William  H.  Seward;    on  his  left  General 
Lane.     Beside  Seward  is  Senator  Cameron  of  Penn- 
jjylvania.    The  familiar  and  easy  manner  of  these  men 
towards  each  other  is  believed  to  be  indicative   of 
their  warm  and  intimate  relations,  political  as  well  as 
personal.    Sweeping  around  a  gentle  curve,  still  to  the 
right  facing  the  chair,  are  Senators  Foot  of  Vermont, 
Doolittle  of  Wisconsin,  Grimes  of  Iowa ;    and  close 
beside  each  other   are  Daniel  Clark  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Charles  Sumner  of  Massachusetts,  looking 
quietly  on  with  apparent  indiJfference,  as  if  feeling 
that  his  hour  of  triumph  had  arrived  in  the  election 
of  a  republican  President.     Just  beyond  these  twain 
we  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  bushy  gray  head  of  the 
unwearied  Senator  from  Rhode  Island,  J.  F.  Simmons. 
"  On  the  left  of  Judge  Douglas,  we  fmd,  calm  as  a 


518  Buchanan's  administration. 

June  morning,  the  erudite  Judge  Colliimer,  Sena- 
tor from  Vermont ;  the  brilliant-minded  and  silver- 
tongued  Fessenden  of  Maine ;  the  industrious  and 
able  Powell  of  Kentucky ;  the  clear-headed  Fitch  of 
Indiana ;  the  go-ahead  and  self-willed  Ten  Eyck  of 
New  Jersey ;  and  beside  him,  in  deep  contemplation 
profoundly  wrapped,  is  the  new  Senator  from  'away 
down  East,'  Morrill  of  Maine.  Hard  by,  looking  as 
if  he  had  not  more  than  his  share  of  care  on  his  mind, 
is  K.  S.  Bingham  of  Michigan.  In  the  second  aisle 
of  seats  is  the  patriotic,  self-sacrificing.  Union-loving, 
and  indefatigable  laborer  for  his  whole  country,  the 
venerable  Senator  from  Kentucky,  John  J.  Critten- 
den. To  the  right  and  left  Ave  have  Senator  Pearce 
of  Maryland,  Senator  Andrew  Johnson  of  Tennessee, 
in  confidential  conflib  -svith  the  spirited  and  talented 
Etheridge  of  the  same  State.  There,  too,  is  Senator 
Baker  of  Oregon,  looking  a  little  more  gray  and  bald 
than  he  did  twenty-five  years  ago,  when  he  and  Colo- 
nel John  J.  Hardin  used  to  crack  jokes  together  in 
Jacksonville,  Illinois.  The  worthy  Senator  looks  a 
little  more  bald  than  when  he  first  came  to  Washing- 
ton this  session,  having  probably  worn  a  good  deal  of 
his  hair  off  in  rubbing  through  the  Pacific  Railroad 
bill,  of  which  great  project  he  is  a  firm  and  steadfast 
friend.  That  queer,  rough,  but  intelligent  looking 
man  with  Bahn  is  old  Senator  Wade  of  Ohio,  who 
doesn't  care  a  pinch  of  snuff  whether  people  like 
what  he  says  or  not.  He  is  a  patriot  who  believes 
he  could  pass  the  gates  of  St.  Peter  whether  entitled 
to  or  not,  if  he  was  only  wrapped  in  the  American 
flag.     Near  Wade  are  Senators  Bigler  of  Pennsylva- 


IMPOSING   SCENE.  519 

nia,  and  Bragg  of  North  Carolina ;  the  former  bear- 
ing his  usual  steady,  careful,  thoughtful  front.  Not 
far  off  you  see  the  smooth  face  and  marble  brow  of 
Senator  AYilson  of  Massachusetts,  with  the  honest 
features  and  sturdy  frame  of  Chandler  of  Michigan. 
You  may  ask :  '  Who  is  that  burly-framed  individual 
talking  to  Eepresentative  Spaulding  of  New  York?' 
^Do  you  mean  him  with  the  Atlas  shoulders?'  'No, 
he  can't  be  an  Atlas  man — not  the  "Albany  Atlas,"  at 
any  rate  ;  for  those  men  have  not  that  amount  of 
girth.'  'Ah,  I  see!  That  is  Preston  King  of  New 
Y'ork,  who  has  as  much  weight  in  the  Senate,  and 
probably  will  have  as  much  in  the  next  administra- 
tion as  any  other  man.'  Then  come  before  your 
vision  the  faces  of  Senators  Eice  of  Minnesota,  and 
Latham  of  California.  Near  them  sits  Senator  Hale 
of  New  Hampshire,  talking  to  Mr.  Hamilton  of  Texas. 
They  pause  in  their  conversation  to  hear  Representa- 
tive Phelps  declare  the  vote  of  Illinois.  It  goes  for 
Lincoln.  Douglas  smiles  faintly  but  good-humoredly, 
and  twitches  his  cane  closer  between  his  legs.  Lane, 
sitting  beside  Douglas,  does  not  care  to  hear  how  his 
State,  Oregon,  has  gone ;  and  proposes  to  leave.  '  No, 
no.  General,'  says  Douglas,  laying  his  hand  pleasantly 
on  Lane's  shoulder :  '  Y"ou  have  heard  how  my  State 
has  gone,  now  let  us  hear  about  yours.'  Lane  sub- 
sides into  his  seat,  and  shortly  afterwards  Senator 
Trumbull,  who  alternated  with  Phelps  in  announcing 
the  vote,  declared  that  even  his  State — his  beloved 
Kentucky — had  gone  against  her  favorite  son.  It  is 
a  somewhat  remarkable  fact  that  not  one  of  the  States 

to  which  two  of  the  Presidential  and  one  of  the  Yice- 
'61 


620  Buchanan's  administration. 

Presidential  candidates  belong,  cast  its  electoral  vote 
for  either.  Douglas  lost  Illinois,  Breckenridge  Ken- 
tucky, and  Lane  Oregon. 

"When  at  twenty  minutes  before  two  o'clock,  Vice- 
President  Breckinrido;e  declared  in  a  distinct  and  au- 
dible  voice,  that  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illinois,  was 
elected  President  of  the  United  States  for  four  years 
from  the  4th  of  March  next,  there  w^as  in  that  im- 
mense throng  of  five  thousand  people,  a  breathless 
and  almost  deathly  silence  of  a  moment,  as  if  every 
one  was  expecting  the  occurrence  of  some  long  hid- 
den and  dreadful  catastrophe.  But  the  stillness  of 
the  moment  w\as  only  disturbed  by  the  clear  voice  of 
the  Vice-President,  announcing  the  election  of  ^Han- 
nibal Hamlin,  of  Maine,  as  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States  for  four  years  from  the  4th  of  March 
next.' 

"And  then  the  people,  without  a  cheer,  without  a 
murmur  of  dissatisfaction;  v/ithout  the  firino;  of  ar- 
tillery  or  the  rattling  of  musketr}',  quietly  dispersed 
to  their  homes,  thankful  in  their  hearts  that  at  least 
one  threatening  ordeal  in  our  country's  history  had 
been  passed  through  peacefully  and  happily." 


XIX. 

LINCOLN'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Dangers  ahead  for  the  New  President — Visitors  to  him  in  Springfield 
— The  Delegates  to  the  Washington  Conference — Farewell  Party 
given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln — Sketch  of  Mrs.  Lincoln — Progress 
to  Washington — The  President's  Military  Escort — Gorgeous  Eecep- 
tion  in  New  York — Ladies  of  Mrs.  Lincoln's  Party — General  Doni- 
phan and  "Old  Abe" — Notices  of  Lincoln  and  his  Cabinet — Gor- 
geous Scene  of  the  Inauguration — Attendance  at  the  Ball — Appear- 
ance of  Mrs.  Lincoln  and  other  Ladies — The  first  Levee  a  "  Mon- 
ster Gathering" — An  English  Tourist's  Description  of  Lincoln — 
Other  Prominent  Men — Mr.  Sumner — Mr.  Stanton — Wendell  Phil- 
lips— Alexander  H.  Stephens — Lincoln's  humorous  Advice  to  Lord 
Lyons — Crowded  New  Year's  Reception — Hon.  James  W.  AVhite — 
Mrs.  Farragut — Hon.  Judge  Brewster — Financial  Movements. 

Ambitious  souls  might  now  have  looked  with  envy 
on  Abraham  Lincoln  ;  but  there  was  danger  that  the 
very  tide  of  fortune  that  carried  him  to  the  highest 
place  might  whelm  the  inexpert  steersman.  Shoals 
and  rocks  without  number  were  ahead,  and  the  chances 
for  utter  wreck  were  equal  to  those  for  safe  landing. 
Few  mortals  ever  carried  a  heavier  load  than  that 
likely  to  rest  on  his  shoulders.  Nor  could  it  be  con- 
cealed that  the  burden  already  felt  was  beginning  to 
tax  to  the  utmost  his  patience  and  power  of  endurance. 
The  grandeur  of  the  mission  he  was  called  on  to  ful- 
fil, as  head  of  a  nation  of  thirty  millions,  caused  him 
more    anxiety  and    embarrassment    than    hope    and 


522  Lincoln's  administration. 


exultation.  He  was  now  chiefly  occupied  in  receiv- 
ing visitors  at  his  home  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  con- 
ducting negotiations  for  the  completion  of  his  cabinet, 
and  attending  to  his  correspondence.  The  general 
crowd  of  place-seekers  had  to  content  itself  with  one 
hour  a  day  of  audience,  and  they  were  admitted  in 
mass,  not  separately.  His  correspondence  had  so  in- 
creased that  his  servant  w^as  met  in  the  vestibule  of 
the  post-office  carrying  a  large  market-basket  full  of 
letters.  They  were  opened  by  the  private  secretary, 
who  determined  their  importance  from  the  signatures, 
those  coming  from  obscure  sources,  and  petitions  for 
office,  being  consigned  to  the  fire. 

The  delegates  to  the  \yashington  conference,  to 
assemble  by  invitation  of  Virginia,  were  James  S. 
Wadsworth,  a  wealthy  gentleman  of  the  w^cstern  part 
of  the  State  of  New^  York ;  Greene  C.  Bronson,  an 
eminent  lawyer  of  New  York;  Erastus  Corning,  a 
w^ell-known  democrat,  financier,  railroad  manager  and 
politician — the  member  of  Congress  elect  from  the 
Albany  district ;  William  M.  Evarts,  a  New  Englander 
by  birth  but  a  resident  of  New  York,  where  he  pur- 
sued the  legal  profession  with  ability  and  profit ;  he 
early  linked  his  political  influence  wdth  the  republi- 
can party  ;  David  Dudley  Field,  a  New  Englander  by 
birth,  a  lawyer,  and  a  republican  politician ;  William 
Curtis  Noyes,  a  celebrated  lawyer  and  republican 
politician.  Salmon  P.  Chase  was  one  of  the  bright 
and  shining  lights  of  the  republican  party.  Born  in 
New  Hampshire  in  1808,  he  removed  early  to  Ohio, 
and  finally  qualified  himself  for  the  legal  profession 
in  Washington,  D.  C,  w^as  admitted  to  the  bar  there 


THE    DELEGATES.  523 

in  1829,  and  returned  to  practice  in  his  adopted  State. 
He  took  but  slight  part  in  politics  till  1841.  In  1848 
he  ^vas  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and  be- 
came Governor  of  Ohio  in  1855.  Thomas  Ewing  had 
been  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  the  Harrison  ad- 
ministration. He  Avas  an  old-line  whig.  David  Wil- 
mot  was  the  author  of  the  celebrated  proviso  bearing 
his  name.  Governor  Charles  S.  Olden  of  New  Jersey 
was  sixty-two,  and  in  mercantile  life  had  acquired  a 
fortune.  Eichard  F.  Stockton,  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey, had  risen  to  the  highest  rank  in  the  navy,  and  in 
1851  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  where 
he  displayed  splendid  talents.  He  was  possessed  of 
wealth.  Alexander  Duncan  was  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  in  Rhode  Island,  and  father  of  the  senior  merii- 
ber  of  the  firm  of  bankers,  Duncan,  Sherman  &  Com- 
pany. James  Guthrie  had  been  Secretary  of  the 
Trear.ury  in  Pierce's  administration.  After  his  retire- 
ment from  public  political  life,  he  devoted  his  time  to 
railroad  enterprises,  and  to  the  enjoyment  of  social 
and  domestic  intercourse.  James  B.  Clay,  the  son  of 
Henry  Clay,  was  an  ex-member  of  Congress.  Charles 
Wickliffe  had  been  in  Harrison's  cabinet,  and  was 
afterwards  Governor  of  Kentucky.  William  0.  But- 
ler was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Kentucky,  and  had 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  Indian  wars  in  the  early 
history  of  that  State,  and  in  the  war  of  1812.  John 
Tyler,  ex-President  of  the  United  States,  was  the 
chairman  of  the  Virginia  delegation.  He  was  Gov- 
ernor of  that  State  in  182G,  and  subsequently  in  the 
Senate,  till,  on  a  difference  of  opinion  between  Gen- 
eral Jackson  and  himself,  he   resigned  his  seat  and 


524  Lincoln's  administeation. 

went  into  voluntary  retirement,  not  making  his  ap- 
pearance again  in  public  life  till  1840,  when  he  was 
nominated  for  Vice-President  by  the  whig  party. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  lived  in 
retirement,  and  was  at  this  time  seventy-one  years  of 
age.  George  W.  Summers  was  distinguished  as  a  lit- 
erary character.  Ex-Judge  Brockenbrough  was  one  of 
the  most  distinguished  jurists  in  Virginia,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  a  high  family.  William  C.  Rives  was  an 
eminent  lawyer,  who  had  represented  Virginia  in  the 
United  States  Senate.  He  was  minister  to  France 
under  the  Harrison  administration.  David  S.  Reed 
was  ex-Governor  of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Morehead 
was  ex-Governor  and  ex-Senator.  Thomas  Ruffin  was 
ex-Chief-Justice  of  the  State.  D.  M.  Barringer  was 
appointed  minister  to  Spain  by  President  Taylor. 
Reverdy  Johnson  of  Maryland  was  a  distinguished 
lawyer,  and  an  ex-member  of  the  United  States  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives.  He  was  Attorney- 
General  in  the  Fillmore  administration.  Alexander 
^Yilliam  Doniphan  of  Tennessee  had  some  celebrity 
as  colonel  of  the  Tennessee  regiment  of  volunteer 
cavalry  in  the  Mexican  war.  All  these  had  been 
prominent  in  the  society  of  the  capital. 

It  was  arranged  that  the  President  elect  and  his 
suite  should  leave  Springfield  on  the  13th  February, 
the  party  consisting  of  fifteen  persons.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln  gave  a  party  to  their  friends  at  their  house  in 
Springfield  on  the  6th.  Seven  hundred  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  composing  the  political  elite  of  the  State, 
and  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the  town  and  its  vicin- 
ity, were  present,  while  the  host  and  hostess  did  the 


SKETCH    OF    MRS.  LIXCOLX.  525 

honors  with  dignity  and  affability.  A  splendidly  orna- 
mented sewing-machine  was  presented  to  Mrs.  Lincoln. 
Mrs.  Lincoln  is  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Robert  Todd, 
of  Lexington,  Ky.,  who  had  held  high  places  of 
trust  in  the  State,  and  was  universally  esteemed. 
Clay  and  Crittenden  were  his  intimate  friends,  and 
w^ere  often  entertained  at  his  hospitable  mansion. 
His  wife  was  a  niece  of  Governor  Porter  of  Michi^ran 
and  Pennsylvania.  Their  eldest  daughter  married  a 
son  of  Governor  Edwards,  the  first  United  States 
Senator  from  the  then  territory  of  Illinois.  Mary 
Todd,  early  bereaved  of  her  mother,  spent  much  time 
with  her  sister  in  Springfield.  The  last  four  years  of 
her  school  days  were  passed  at  Mde.  Mentelle's  select 
establishment,  opposite  Mr.  Clay's  house  in  Lexington, 
where  a  near  relative,  Margaret  Wicklifie,  afterwards 
Mrs.  William  Preston,  was  her  room-mate.  The  young 
ladies  continued  intimate  friends  till  the  civil  war; 
and  during  that,  Mrs.  Preston  often  sought  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln's help,  to  be  permitted  to  join  General  Preston. 
Miss  Todd  returned  from  school  to  Springfield,  when 
only  seventeen,  and  was  soon  admired  in  a  select  so- 
ciety of  gentlemen,  of  whom  many  became  distin- 
guished. Judge  Douglas  was  one  of  her  persistent 
suitors.  Abraham  Lincoln  paid  his  addresses  three 
months  after  the  first  meeting  with  the  lovely  and 
accomplished  girl,  who  alone  of  all  her  sex  had  ever 
touched  his  heart.  He  had  never  sought  an}^  other 
w^oman's  society.  He  courted  her  devotedly  for  three 
years,  and  during  the  twenty-two  or  three  years  of 
married  life  that  followed,  he  remained  the  fond  lover 
as  wxll  as  the  affectionate  husband  and  father;  never 


526  LINCOLN'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

absent  from  his  wife  more  than  a  day  without  send- 
ing daily  letters ;  sharing  with  her  the  joy  of  every 
snccess ;  finding  no  happiness  so  great  as  that  of  the 
home  brightened  by  her.  She  shared  with  him 
the  anxieties  that  accompanied  his  elevation  to  the 
Presidency,  as  well  as  the  affliction  of  losing  his 
gifted  son ;  seeking  relief  from  sorrow  in  visits  to  the 
hospitals  where  her  kind  ministrations  to  the  suffer- 
ing soldiers  might  do  them  good,  and  bathing  eyes 
swollen  with  weeping  when  duty  called  her  to  the 
drawing-room  reception.  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,  the 
distinguished  novelist,  often  accompanied  her  on  these 
visits  of  mercy,  and  described  the  scene  as  most  in- 
teresting— to  see  the  wife  of  the  President  walking 
for  hours  through  the  wards  to  say  cheering  words 
of  hope  and  encouragement  to  the  wounded  and  sick; 
laying  fresh  flowers  on  their  pillows,  and  offering 
them  delicacies  brought  from  the  White  House.  Her 
carriage  would  be  laden  with  flowers  and  baskets  of 
dainties,  fruits,  &c.,  for  these  hapless  ones.  In  straw- 
berry time  her  gardens  w^ould  be  stripped  for  their 
benefit.  She  often  assured  Mrs.  Stephens  that  but 
for  these  humane  employments,  her  heart  would  have 
broken  when  she  lost  her  child.  No  one  who  knew 
her  could  doubt  Mrs.  Lincoln's  possession  of  a  feeling 
and  noble  heart. 

The  progress  of  the  President  elect  was  a  continued 
ovation.  Mrs.  Lincoln,  with  her  sons  and  party,  joined 
him  at  Lidianapolis  and  the  united  family  proceeded 
through  Indiana.  The  reception  at  Cincinnati  was 
an  era  in  the  history  of  the  Queen  City.  His  hand- 
shaking exertions  made  the  poor  man  somewhat  stiff, 


PROMINENT   LADIES    AND    GENTLEMEN.  527 

find  his  voice  was  slightly  hoarse  from  speaking  in  the 
open  air  at  the  different  stopping-places.  His  good 
humor,  however,  was  unimpaired,  and  Mrs.  Lincohi 
conversed  in  a  lively  manner  with  the  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen around  her.  At  x\lbany  the  Governor  pro- 
posed to  entertain  the  honored  guest  at  his  own 
residence,  but  was  censured  for  his  wish  to  monopolize 
Mr.  Lincoln.  At  this  time  Mrs.  Lincoln  had  two  mar- 
ried sisters  on  a  visit  at  Montgomery,  Ala.  One  was 
from  Kentuckv,  and  visitino-  her  sister  who  resided 
at  Selma,  Ala.  Both  were  secessionists,  and  opposed 
to  the  government  of  their  brother-in-law ;  of  course 
they  attracted  much  attention,  and  were  the  toast 
of  Southerners. 

Of  Lincoln's  military  escort,  Colonel  E.  Y.  Sumner 
had  served  forty  years  in  the  army,  and  spent  most 
of  his  life  in  the  saddle,  west  of  the  Mississippi,  partici- 
pating in  the  whole  of  the  Mexican  war.  His  form 
Iv^as  erect  and  his  faculties  were  unimpaired,  the  result 
of  an  active,  temperate  life.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
efficient  officers  and  brightest  ornaments  of  the  army. 
Major  D.  Hunter  had  served  also  with  distinction  in 
the  Mexican  war.  Mrs.  Hunter  was  a  native  of  Illi- 
nois. The  family  was  wealthy,  and  celebrated  for 
hospitality  and  cultivated  taste.  Captain  George 
W.  Hazard  was  a  hero  of  the  Mexican  and  Florida 
wars,  and  of  many  skirmishes  with  the  Lidians,  be- 
ing an  excellent  officer  and  a  cultivated  gentleman. 
Captain  John  Pope,  a  son  of  Judge  Pope,  was  a  sol- 
dier and  a  gentleman  of  profound  scientific  attain- 
ments. Those  four  had  been  detailed  by  the  War 
department  to  escort  the  President  elect  to  Wash- 


528  Lincoln's  administration. 

ington.  Colonel  Ward  Hill  Lamon,  a  lawyer  of  high 
standing,  was  with  the  party  as  a  personal  friend  to 
Mr.  Lincoln.  Colonel  E.  E.  Ellsworth,  of  United  States 
Zouave  Cadets  fame,  excited  general  admiration  for 
the  manner  in  which  he  managed  to  protect  the 
President  from  the  importunities  of  curious  crowds. 
Among  the  civilians  N.  B.  Judd  of  Chicago,  a  lawyer 
of  great  ability,  and  an  old  and  tried  friend  of  Mr. 
Lincoln,  was  prominent.  He  was  of  middle  size, 
rather  heavy  set,  with  florid  countenance  and  flowing 
gray  hair  and  beard;  and  was  often  recognized  by 
an  unlighted  cigar  protruding  from  his  lips.  Judge 
David  Davis  of  Illinois,  probably  attracted  more  at- 
tention than  any  other  member  of  the  suite,  by  virtue 
of  his  rotund  figure,  the  humor  of  his  broad  good- 
natured  face,  and  the  roars  of  laughter  in  which  he 
almost  constantly  indulged.  Without  his  mirthful- 
ness,  the  trip  would  have  been  a  dull  affair.  He  was 
a  distinguished  republican  leader  of  his  State,  an  in'- 
timate  friend  and  former  partner  of  the  President,  a 
man  of  judgment  and  discretion,  of  great  talent,  pen- 
etrating mind,  and  first-class  acquirements. 

The  private  Secretary  of  the  President  was  John 
George  Nicolay,  a  German  by  birth  but  educated  in 
America.  He  was  of  slender  figure  and  pale  but 
handsome  features,  wearing  a  mustache  and  goatee, 
and  was  remarkable  for  intelligence,  industry  and 
discretion.  John  M.  Hay,  assistant  Secretary,  was  an 
Illinois  lawyer,  of  splendid  talent  and  high  culture, 
though  a  very  young  man.  His  handsome  form  and 
noble  presence  were  said  to  haA^e  deeply  impressed 
the  belles  of  Springfield,  and  awakened  no  little  emo- 


THE    PARTY   IN   NEW   YORK.  529 

tion  among  those  of  Washington.  Dr.  W,  S.  Wallace, 
the  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  accompanied  him 
as  his  physician.  He  had  lived  in  Springfield  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century.  His  manner  was  quiet,  but  his  even 
temper  and  good  humor  made  him  an  agreeable  com- 
panion. Lockwood  M.  Todd  was  a  cousin  of  Mrs. 
Lincoln,  and  had  come  from  California  to  see  the 
family  safe  to  Washington,  George  Latham  was  a 
college  chum  of  "  Bob,"  and  had  all  the  gay  and  easy 
ways  of  the  "Prince  of  Rails."  Lastly,  a  useful  mem- 
ber of  the  party  was  the  mulatto  William,  who  took 
care  of  the  company  with  untiring  vigilance. 

The  reception  of  the  President  elect  in  New  York 
was  a  gorgeous  one,  and  detailed  with  a  great  variety 
of  incident  by  the  reporters.  Mr.  Lincoln  remarked, 
in  favor  of  his  lady  visitors,  that  "  their  hands  did  not 
hurt  him,"  Five  gentlemen  and  six  ladies  formed 
the  party  at  dinner.  Mrs.  Hamlin  had  been  received 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Astor  House,  and  given  in 
charge  to  Mrs.  Follansbee,  who  had  the  care  of  the 
Presidential  and  Vice-Presidential  ladies.  The  little 
boys  went  to  Laura  Keene's  theater,  showing  great 
anxiety  to  be  off  before  the  nurse  was  ready  to  go, 
and  expressing  fears  that  "it  will  be  all  over  before  we 
get  there,  if  we  do  not  make  haste."  Another  time 
the  family  visited  Barnum's  Museum  with  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln, described  as  "  a  handsome,  matronly  lady."  She 
received  calls  from  the  ladies  stopping  at  the  hotel, 
in  company  with  Mrs.  Edwards  and  Mrs.  James  Wat- 
son Webb.  Her  dress  was  steel-colored  silk,  made 
high  in  the  neck,  with  trimming  of  box-plaited  satin 
ribbon,  a  small  lace  collar  fastened  with  a  diamond 


530  Lincoln's  administration. 

brooch,  diamond  ear-drops,  and  black  cbonillc  and 
gold  head-dress.  Mrs.  Webb  Avorc  a  dark-colored 
merino,  cashmere  sha^vl  and  black  yelvet  bonnet ; 
Mrs.  Edwards  a  dark-colored  silk,  sprigged  with 
small  bright  flowers.  The  ladies  carried  bouquets, 
and  Mrs.  Lincoln  had  a  small  ivory  fan  with  which 
she  occasionally  fanned  some  of  the  gentlemen  who 
paid  their  respects  to  her,  playfully  telling  them 
"  not  to  get  too  warm  in  the  cause."  Mrs.  Webb  in- 
troduced the  ladies  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  whose  smile  was 
a  pleasant  and  amiable  one,  with  a  frank  and  lady- 
like manner.  All  agreed  that  she  would  fdl  her 
high  position  with  ease  and  dignity.  In  two  hours 
about  a  hundred  ladies  were  presented.  During  the 
evening  a  delegation  from  the  Young  Men's  Central 
Campaign  Club  was  presented  to  Mrs.  Lincoln  by 
General  Webb.  Mrs.  Lincoln's  sister  and  niece  ar- 
rived from  Boston,  to  accompany  her  to  Washington 
and  assist  in  inaugurating  the  hospitalities.  Miss 
Lane  had  sent  an  invitation  to  Mrs.  Lincoln  to  come 
directly  to  the  White  House  on  her  arrival — an  act 
of  courtes}^  highly  appreciated  by  all  intelligent 
classes.  The  party,  however,  went  to  Willard's, 
where  a  suite  of  five  elegantly  furnished  rooms  had 
been  appropriated  to  their  use. 

When  the  tall  General  Doniphan  of  Missouri  was 
introduced,  '-'Old  Abe"  had  to  look  up  to  catch  his 
eye.  He  immediately  asked:  ^'Ls  this  the  Doniphan 
who  made  that  splendid  march  across  the  plains,  and 
swept  the  swift  Camanches  before  him?"  ^^ I  com- 
manded the  expedition  across  the  plains,"  modestly 
responded  the  General.     "Then  you   have  come  up 


DIXNER    AT    Mil,  SPAULDING's.  531 

to  the  standard  of  my  expectation,"  rejoined  Mr.  Lin- 
coln. Democrats  as  well  as  republicans  were  pleased 
with  the  new  President;  and  the  ladies,  who  at  first 
thought  him  awkward,  changed  their  opinion  and  de- 
clared him  "a  very  pleasant,  sociable  gentleman,  and 
not  bad  looking  by  any  means." 

A  brilliant  dinner  party  was  given  by  Mr.  Spauld- 
ing  to  the  President  and  Vice-President  elect  on  the 
28th  February,  attended  by  distinguished  and  intel- 
lectual guests.  After  returning  from  the  dinner,  Mn 
and  Mrs.  Lincoln  held  a  levee  at  Willard's,  receiving 
a  vast  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  The  music 
of  the  marine  band  brought  an  immense  crowd  to  the 
front,  and  Mr,  Lincoln  appeared  on  the  balcony.  Mr, 
and  Mrs.  Hamlin  also  had  an  ovation  at  their  hotel. 
The  lady  had  become  exceedingly  popular  among  the 
elite  of  the  metropolis, 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1809, 
He  was  educated  in  Indiana,  and  in  1830  removed  to 
Illinois.  Elected  to  Congress  in  1846,  he  served  three 
years,  distinguishing  himself  by  his  pertinacity  in 
sustaining  the  Wilmot  Proviso,  and  his  opposition  to 
the  Mexican  War.  He  was  first  brought  into  public 
notice  by  hia  memorable  campaign  against  Douglas 
for  the  Senatorship.  Hannibal  Hamlin  was  a  native 
of  Maine ;  of  about  the  same  age  as  Mr.  Lincoln,  and 
a  lawyer  by  profession.  He  was  a  Senator  of  the 
United  States,  and  Governor  of  Maine,  William  H. 
Seward,  the  Secretary  of  State,  had  a  large  and  lucra- 
tive practice  as  a  lawyer.  Early  in  his  public  life  he 
had  traveled  in  the  Southern  States,  and  was  supposed 
then  to  have  formed  his  opinions  hostile  to  slavery. 


532  Lincoln's  administration. 

In  some  respects  he  was  among  the  foremost  of  Amer- 
ican statesmen,  and  was  said  to  have  "the  best  and 
clearest  head  in  America."  Salmon  Portland  Chase, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  had  studied  law  in  Wash- 
ington under  the  celebrated  William  Wirt,  then  Attor- 
ney General.  General  Simon  Cameron,  Secretary  of 
War,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  To  no  single 
man  within  her  borders  was  Pennsylvania  more  in- 
debted for  her  great  systems  of  public  improvement 
and  public  instruction.  Maryland  was  represented  in 
the  Lincoln  cabinet  by  Judge  Montgomery  Blair. 
His  father  was  Francis  P.  Blair,  well  known  in  General 
Jackson's  time.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life  and  men- 
tal vigor,  and  was  very  popular  with  the  republicans 
of  the  North  and  West.  He  was  the  son-in-law  of 
Levi  Woodbury.  His  wife  is  a  brilliant  and  charming 
woman.  Gideon  Welles,  of  Connecticut,  had  been 
for  thirty  years  a  leading  politician.  Edward  Bates, 
Attorney  General,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  con- 
siderably advanced  in  years.  He  was  a  shrewd,  quiet 
lawyer,  and  was  made  a  judge,  and  had  been  compli- 
mented by  two  colleges  w^itli  the  honorary  degree 
of  LL.D. 

As  of  old,  the  scene  of  the  inauguration  was  a 
gorgeous  pageant,  witnessed  by  assembled  thousands. 
The  two  Presidents  went  to  the  ceremony  in  the  same 
carriage,  which  was  so  closely  surrounded  by  marshals 
and  cavalrv  as  to  hide  it  from  view.  No  shot  could 
have  been  aimed  at  Mr.  Lincoln  through  such  a  dense 
military  enclosure,  and  the  apprehensions  of  a  mur- 
derous plot  were  quieted.  When  he  left  tlie  carriage, 
Mr.  Lincoln  walked  slowly  to  the   threshold   of  the 


Lincoln's  inauguration.  533 

capitol,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  his  predecessor,  and 
looking  pale,  fatigued  and  anxious.  His  vivacity  ap- 
peared to  have  deserted  him,  and  the  instant  he 
passed  the  portals,  he  hung  his  head  and  looked 
fixedly  upon  the  marble  tiles.  He  proceeded  to  the 
President's  room  on  the  Senate  floor.  The  line  of 
procession  to  the  portico  was  formed,  and  when  they 
reached  the  platform.  Senator  Baker  of  Oregon  in- 
troduced Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  assembly.  He  was  re- 
ceived with  cheers.  Laying  down  his  manuscript, 
he  pulled  from  his  pocket  a  pair  of  steel-bowed  spec- 
tacles, and  proceeded  to  read  the  address  in  a  clear 
and  distinct  voice.  The  oath  of  office  was  then  ad- 
ministered by  Chief  Justice  Taney,  who  seemed  agi- 
tated with  emotion.  It  was  the  eighth  ceremony  of 
the  kind  at  which  he  had  officiated.  The  President 
was  then  escorted  to  the  White  House,  where  Mr. 
Bnchanan  took  his  leave  of  his  successor,  and  retired 
to  the  residence  of  District  Attorney  Ould. 

General  Scott  had  made  the  most  extensive  arrange- 
ments for  the  preservation  of  order.  His  officers  were 
continually  passing  to  and  fro,  and  he  was  heard  to 
utter  a  devout  expression  of  thanks  to  the  great  Ruler 
of  events,  that  everything  was  going  on  peaceably. 
When  a  portion  of  the  crowd  came  to  pay  their  re- 
spects to  him,  the  appearance  of  the  gigantic  form  of 
the  Commander-in-Chief  upon  the  porch  of  his  house 
was  a  signal  for  a  burst  of  the  wildest  enthusiasm. 
Standing  erect  in  noble  dignity,  in  a  voice  half  choked 
with  emotion,  he  congratulated  his  "  friends"  that  one 
of  the  great  saturnalias  of  the  nation  was  safely  passed. 
He  announced    himself  '•  the  oldest   servant  of  this 


534  Lincoln's  administration. 

mighty  republic,  of  which  we  are  all  pillars  and  sup- 
porters. He  had  labored  fifty  years  to  serve  the  coun- 
try." At  eleven  that  nio^ht  the  President  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln,  attended  by  a  numerous  suite,  and  followed 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilamlin,  entered  the  room  of  the  In- 
auguration Ball.  Five  thousand  were  said  to  be  pres- 
ent. The  distinguished  guests  were  welcomed  by 
enthusiastic  applause,  and  a  fearful  quantity  of  hand- 
shaking ensued.  All  ej^es  were  turned  on  Mrs.  Lin- 
cohi,  whose  exquisite  toilet  and  admirable  ease  and 
grace,  won  compliments  from  thousands.  Several  of 
the  new  Cabinet,  the  English,  French  and  Eussian 
ambassadors,  Senators,  Members  of  Congress,  the 
Army,  Navy,  &c.,  w^ere  present. 

In  entering  the  room,  Mrs.  Lincoln  followed  her 
husband,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  self-possessed 
Senator  Douglas.  He  reminded  her  of  a  playful  pre- 
diction that  her  husband  w^ould  be  President,  years 
before.  Some  one  in  the  crowd  observed  that  "  she 
w^ould  have  made  a  better  match  for  Judge  Douglas 
than  '  Old  Abe,' "  probably  because  they  were  more 
nearly  of  the  same  hight.  Vice-President  Hamlin 
had  a  very  dark  complexion,  with  a  pleasant  face 
that  wore  no  marks  of  care.  An  eye-witness  said  : 
*^  Mrs.  Lincoln,  always  amiable  and  dignified,  w^as  to- 
night more  charming  than  ever.  Mrs.  Baker,  lier 
sister-in-law,  was  escorted  by  Governor  Yates  of  Illi- 
nois. Mrs.  Yates  wore  white  silk,  with  cherry-colored 
double  skirt.  Mrs.  Berghmann,  w^ife  of  the  Belgian 
minister,  was  dressed  in  white  watered  silk.  Mrs. 
Hoover,  one  of  the  most  agreeable  ladies  adorning 
Washington  society,  was  dressed  with  perfect  taste 


DRESSES    OF    PROMINENT    LADIES.  535 

in  violet-colored  brocade  silk  with  heavy  flounces ; 
a  wreath  on  her  head.  Miss  Helen  Green  wore  the 
Union  costume.  Miss  Alice  Green  was  greatly  ad- 
mired in  her  dress  of  blue  tarletan  flounced  to  the 
waist,  with  a  bertha  of  Honiton  lace.  Mrs.  Parker,  a 
leader  of  the  ton^  wore  stone-colored  silk  with  black 
lace ;  Miss  Fanny  Parker  white  tarletan  with  gold 
trimrain2!:s.  She  was  one  of  the  most  eno-ao-ino;  and 
accomplished  young  ladies  seen.  Mrs.  Stone,  wife  of 
the  celebrated  Dr.  Stone  of  Boston,  wore  white  bro- 
cade silk.  Mrs.  Samuel  A.  Way  of  Boston,  an  attrac- 
tive and  interesting  lady,  was  attired  in  a  rich  black 
velvet,  with  diamonds  to  the  value  of  at  least  eight 
thousand  dollars.  Her  sister,  Mrs.  Cutting,  a  lovely, 
bright-eyed,  graceful  young  widow,  wore,  also,  plain 
black  velvet,  with  a  pearl  necklace  and  other  jcvv^els. 
Mrs.  Fenton  had  on  a  rich  brown  silk  with  velvet 
arabesque ;  her  majestic  mien  showed  her  a  woman 
of  intellect  and  cultivation.  Her  daughter  Josephine 
was  in  pure  white,  and  beautifid  as  a  just-opened 
lily."  This  was  called  "The  Union  Ball ;"  but,  alas  ! 
with  the  true  Union  severed,  many  sad  associations 
were  called  up.  The  South  was  unrepresented,  and 
many  citizens  of  Washington  w^ere  absent. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  first  levee  at  the  White  House  on  the 
8th  March,  was  a  "monster  gathering."  From  eight 
till  half-past  ten  Mr.  Lincoln  had  not  one  minute's  rest 
from  shaking  hands;  often  shaking  a  gentleman's  with 
his  right  hand  and  a  lady's  with  his  left  at  the  same 
time,  to  facilitate  the  movements  of  the  multitude. 
Colonel  Lamar,  one  of  his  suite,  stood  on  his  left,  and 

introduced  with  dispatch  and  courtesy  those  who  de- 
33 


536  Lincoln's  administration. 

sired  to  be  presented  by  name.  Mrs.  Lincoln,  in  ma- 
genta colored  brocade,  with  diamonds,  stood  next  to 
her  husband  on  his  right,  the  observed  of  all  observers; 
■while  Dr.  Blake  introduced  people  to  the  Queen  of 
the  occasion.  Distinguished  among  the  guests  were 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Douglas.  The  members  of  the  new 
cabinet  w^ere  all  present  except  Mr.  vSew^ard.  Charles 
Sumner  appeared  for  the  first  time  in  six  years,  in 
the  most  approved  style  of  English  evening  dress. 
In  the  gay  throng,  as  usual,  mingled  the  diplomatic 
corps  and  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  their 
uniforms  flashing  in  the  light  of  the  chandeliers,  and 
only  excelled  by  the  brilliant  costumes  of  the  ladies, 
splendid  with  diamonds  and  other  precious  gems. 
Not  only  was  the  elite  of  Washington  society  repre- 
sented; but  the  wealthy  and  fashionable  circles  of 
nearly  every  State,  from  Maine  to  Louisiana,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  One  of  the  most  admired 
belles  was  from  the  Golden  State,  the  wife  of  an 
officer  in  iho  army. 

Dicey,  an  English  tourist,  w^rote:  "If  you  take  the 
English  stock  caricature  of  the  typical  Yankee,  you 
have  the  likeness  of  President  Lincoln.  Fancy  a 
man  six  foot  high,  and  thin  out  of  proportion,  with 
long  bony  arms  and  legs,  large  rugged  hands,  which 
grasp  you  like  a  vice  when  shaking  yours;  w^ith  a 
long  scraggy  neck,  and  a  chest  too  narrow  for  the 
great  arms  hanging  by  its  side;  add  to  this  figure  a 
head  somewhat  too  small  for  such  a  stature,  covered 
with  rough,  uncombable,  lank,  dark  hair,  a  face  fur- 
rowed, wrinkled  and  indented;  a  high,  narrow  fore- 
head, and  sunk  deep  beneath  bushy  eyebrows,  two 


THE    president's    JOKES,  537 

bright,  somewhat  dreamy  eyes,  that  seem  to  gaze 
through  you  without  looking  at  you;  a  few  irregular 
blotches  of  black,  bristly  hair  in  the  place  where 
beard  and  whiskers  ought  to  grow^;  a  close  set,  thin- 
lipped,  stern  mouth,  with  two  rows  of  large  white 
teeth,  and  large  nose  and  ears.  Clothe  this  figure  in 
a  long,  tight,  ill-fitting  suit  of  black;  creased  and 
puckered  at  every  salient  point — and  every  point  of 
this  figure  is  salient ;  put  on  large  boots,  gloves  too 
long  for  the  bony  fingers,  and  a  fluffy  hat,  covered  to 
the  top  w^ith  pufi'y  crape,  and  then  add  to  all  this  an 
air  of  strength,  physical  as  well  as  moral,  and  a 
strange  look  of  dignity,  coupled  with  all  this  gro- 
tesqueness,  and  you  will  have  the  impression  Isft  on 
me  by  Abraham  Lincoln," 

"  Some  of  the  party  began  smoking ;  and  Mr.  Sew- 
ard, who  was  present,  remarked  laughingly,  *  I  have 
always  wondered  how  any  man  could  ever  get  to  be 
President  of  the  United  States  with  so  few  vices. 
The  President,  you  know,  neither  drinks  nor  smokes.' 
^  That,'  answered  the  President,  '  is  a  doubtful  compli- 
ment. Once,  outside  a  stage  in  Illinois,  a  man  sitting 
by  me  offered  me  a  cigar.  I  told  him  I  had  no  vicec. 
He  smoked  for  some  time,  and  then  grunted  out,  It's 
my  experience  in  life  that  folks  who  have  got  no  vices 
have  plaguy  few  virtues.'" 

A  gentleman  present  mentioned  a  friend  who  had 
been  expelled  from  New  Orleans  as  a  Unionist,  mack 
to  go  of  his  own  free  will.  ^Ir.  Lincoln  said,  "'  It  re- 
minded him  of  a  hotel-keeper  in  St.  Louis,  in  choleia 
time,  who  boasted  that  he  had  never  had  a  death  m 
his  hotel.     No  more  he  had;  for  when  a  guest  was 


538  Lincoln's  administration. 

dying,  he  had  him  carried  out  in  the  street  in  his  bed^ 
to  die."  Talking  of  the  Missouri  compromise,  Mr. 
Lincohi  remarked:  "It  used  to  amuse  me  some  to 
find  that  the  shive-holders  wanted  more  territory  be- 
cause they  had  not  room  for  their  shives ;  and  yet 
they  complained  of  not  having  the  slave-trade  be- 
cause they  v/anted  more  slaves  for  their  room  !"  "Un- 
less you  could  give  the  dry  chuckle  with  Avhich  the 
President's  stories  were  repeated,  and  the  gleam  in 
his  eye,  as,  with  the  action  habitual  to  him,  he  rubs 
his  hand  down  the  side  of  his  long  leg,  you  fail  in 
conveying  a  true  impression  of  their  quaint  humor." 

Mr.  Sumner  he  noticed  as  "  that  great,  sturdy, 
English-looking  figure,  with  the  broad,  massive  fore- 
head, over  which  the  rich  mass  of  nut-brown  hair, 
streaked  here  and  there  with  gray,  hangs  loosely  ; 
with  the  deep  blue  eyes,  and  the  strangely  winning 
smile,  half  bright,  half  full  of  sadness.  Sitting  in  his 
place  in  the  Senate,  leaning  back  in  his  chair,  with 
his  head  stooping  slightly  over  that  great  broad 
chest,  and  his  hands  resting  upon  his  crossed  legs,  he 
looks,  in  dress,  attitude  and  air,  the  very  model  of 
an  English  country  gentleman."  Mr.  Stanton,  Mrs. 
Stowe  says,  "is  one  of  those  mei?  built  on  the  lion 
pattern  ;  a  man  who  never  knew  ^.vhat  fear  was ;  a 
man  also,  awful  and  tremendous  in  po\yers  of  v/rath 
and  combativeness."  He  was  appointed  Secretary  of 
War  in  January,  1862.  When  Mr.  Lincoln  announced 
his  selection,  some  one  objected  to  Mr.  Stanton's  im- 
pulsive temper  ;  and  Lincoln  replied  :  "  Well,  v/e  may 
have  to  treat  him  as  they  are  sometimes^  obliged  to 
treat  a  Methodist  minister  I  know  of  out  W^st.     He 


ALEXANDER  n.  STEPHENS.  539 

gets  wrought  up  so  high  in  his  prayers  and  exhorta- 
tions that  they  are  obliged  to  put  bricks  in  his  pocket 
to  keep  him  down.  We  may  be  obliged  to  serve 
Stanton  the  same  way ;  but  I  guess  we'll  let  him  jump 
awhile  first!" 

Dicey  described  Wendell  Phillips  ;  ^*a  spare,  slight 
man,  with  scanty  grayish  hair,  dressed  in  colors  of  al- 
most quaker-like  sombreness.  My  first  impression 
was  that  he  looked  like  a  cross  between  a  dissenting 
minister  and  a  country  doctor.  The  one  sign  of 
genius  was  the  high,  narrow  forehead,  and  the  one 
attractive  feature  the  wonderful  sweetness  of  his 
smile." 

Alexander  H,  Stephens,  of  Georgia,  was  known 
throughout  the  Union  as  one  of  the  most  prominent 
of  Southern  politicians  and  eloquent  orators.  He  was 
born  in  Georgia  in  1812.  A  stranger  judging  by 
looks,  would  never  have  selected  him  as  the  John 
Randolph  of  our  time,  more  dreaded  as  an  adversary 
and  more  prized  as  an  ally  in  a  debate  than  any  other 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  His  voice 
was  sharp  and  shrill  at  the  beginning  of  a  speech,  but 
as  he  warmed  with  his  subject,  the  clear  tones  and 
vigorous  sentences  rolled  out  with  a  sonorousness 
that  found  its  w^ay  to  every  corner  of  the  building. 
He  was  witty,  rhetorical  and  solid,  with  a  dash  of 
keen  satire  that  put  an  edge  on  every  speech.  He 
possessed  hosts  of  warm  friends,  and  was  regarded  as 
an  enlightened  Christian  and  a  man  of  inflexible  in- 
tegrity. 

Upon  the  betrothal  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  to  the 
Princess  Alexandra,  Queen  Victoria  sent  a  letter  to 


540  Lincoln's  administration. 

each  of  the  European  sovereigns,  and  also  to  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  announcing  the  fact.  Lord  Lyons,  her 
ambassador  at  Washington, — (a  bachelor,) — requested 
an  audience  of  Mr.  Lincoln  that  he  might  present  this 
important  document.  At  the  time  appointed  he  was 
received  at  the  White  House,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Seward.  "May  it  please  your  Excellency,"  said  Lord 
Lyons,  "I  hold  in  my  hand  an  autograph  letter  from 
my  royal  mistress.  Queen  Victoria,  which  I  have  been 
commanded  to  present  to  your  Excellency.  In  it  she 
informs  your  Excellency  that  her  son,  his  Eoyal  High- 
ness the  Prince  of  Wales,  is  about  to  contract  a  mat- 
rimonial alliance  with  her  Royal  Highness  the  Prin- 
cess Alexandra  of  Denmark."  After  continuing  in 
this  strain  for  a  few  minutes.  Lord  Lyons  tendered 
the  letter  to  the  President  and  awaited  his  reply.  It 
was  short,  simple  and  expressive,  and  consisted  simply 
of  the  words: — "Lord  Lyons,  go  thou  and  do  likewise.'* 

The  New  Year's  reception  at  the  Presidential  man- 
sion in  1865,  was  said  to  have  been  more  crowded 
than  ever  before.  Among  the  Generals  were  Halleck, 
Hitchcock,  Hunter,  Doubleday,  Fessenden,  Terry, 
Farnsworth,  Thomas  and  others.  Admiral  Smith  and 
Commodore  GoldsborouG^h  headed  the  Naval  Delep^a- 
tion.  At  Mrs.  Lincoln's  first  drawing-room  reception, 
the  elite  of  the  metropolis  was  in  attendance.  Ad- 
miral and  Mrs.  Farragut  were  conspicuous.  This  lady 
is  a  Virginian,  and  has  the  frank,  easy  manner  and  im- 
pulsive grace  of  the  Southern  ladies. 

One  of  the  most  valued  confidential  friends  of 
President  Lincoln,  as  he  had  been  for  years  of  most 
prominent  statesmen,  was  Judge  James  W.  White  of 


THE'NEY/-  YORK 
PUBLIC  tIBRARY 


A&TOft,   LENOX 
TILDfIN    FOUNDATIONS 


H.WngiiiSni:tiiEc 


ROSA  YJEKHEH  JIIIMEY. 


IIOX.  JAMES    W.  WHITE.  543 

New  York.  At  all  hours  he  was  received  by  the 
President  and  Cabinet;  his  advice  and  aid  were  fre- 
quently sought,  and  his  influence  was  great.  This 
eminent  man  deserves  more  than  a  cursory  and  feeble 
tribute.  lie  was  of  an  ancient  Irish  family,  noted 
for  the  virtues  as  well  as  the  talents  of  its  members. 
He  was  a  nephew  of  Gerald  Griffin.  At  a  navy-yard 
ball  given  this  winter,  one  of  the  stars  of  attraction 
was  the  daughter  of  Judge  White,  then  only  seven- 
teen. Her  singing  created  a  furore  of  admiration  in 
the  select  circles  of  that  time.  All  the  family  of  Judge 
White  had  great  talent  for  music,  and  their  abilities 
were  highly  cultivated.  Mrs.  Mack  and  Mrs.  George 
Walker  of  New  York  are  still  celebrities  in  society 
for  their  vocal  powers  and  for  many  other  attractions. 
In  November,  18G5,  an  interesting  case  was  argued 
before  the  Supreme  Court  at  Washington,  concerning 
the  act  authorizing  a  bridge  over  the  SchuylkilL 
This  had  excited  great  public  attention,  because  the 
decision  in  the  Wheelino-  Brido-e  case  had  been  ad- 
verse  to  the  right  to  bridge  a  navigable  river.  The 
right  of  Philadelphia  to  bridge  the  Schuylkill  was 
maintained  by  Mr.  Frederick  Carroll  Brewster,  and 
many  thousand  inhabitants  of  the  city  had  a  vital  in- 
terest in  his  able  argument.  The  case  was  fiercely 
contested  before  the  Supreme  Court ;  but  the  argu- 
ment on  behalf  of  the  city  carried  it  against  opposi 
tion,  and  received  the  rare  compliment  of  a  congrat- 
ulation from  the  bench.  When  the  constitutionality 
of  the  "Bounty  Act"  was  called  in  question,  it  was 
argued  by  the  same  distinguished  gentleman  before  a 
full  bench.     The   cause  involved  upwards   of   thirty 


544  Lincoln's  administration. 

millions  of  dollars,  and  was  said  by  the  court  to  be 
*' beyond  comparison  the  most  important  ever  brought 
before  it  since  the  formation  of  the  government." 
AVlien  the  Girard  will  case,  involving  millions  of  prop- 
erty and  questions  as  to  charitable  uses,  was  before 
the  Supreme  Court,  Mr.  Brewster  argued  it  on  behalf 
of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  procured  a  reversal 
of  the  judgment  entered  against  the  city.  The  emi- 
nent reputation  of  this  gentleman,  acknowledged  to 
be  at  the  head  of  the  Philadelphia  bar,  and — since  his 
successful  management  in  1856  of  the  famous  con- 
tested election  case  of  Mann  vs.  Cassidy,  where  he 
gained  the  cause  though  opposed  by  the  flower  of  the 
bar — regarded  as  the  great  legal  champion  of  the 
cause  which  cherishes  the  purity  of  the  ballot-box — 
renders  a  brief  notice  proper.  Born  in  1825,  he  grad- 
uated at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  the  age 
of  sixteen;  studied  law  with  his  father,  Francis  E. 
Brewster,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  when  only 
nineteen.  In  a  few  years  he  rose  to  the  head  of  the 
criminal  bar,  being  engaged  in  most  important  cases. 
His  defence  of  a  medical  practitioner  from  the  charge 
of  homicide  of  a  patient  by  mal-practice,  was  proof 
of  the  old  saying,  "the  lawyer  must  be  master  of  all 
sciences."* 

Mr.  Brewster's  reputation  in  civil  cases  is  equally 

*IIis  defence  of  Lenairs,  who  sliot  a  Jersey  farmer  wliile  atteniptin«j  to 
arrest  liim,  was  a  most  eloquent  effort,  and  pronounced  by  the  press  "the 
speecli  of  the  trial."  Though  the  higliest  talent  of  the  New  Jersey  bar  was 
invoked  for  the  prosecution,  the  life  of  the  accused  was  saved.  A  masterly 
defence  by  Mr.  Brewster  also  secured  the  discharge  of  Kirkpatrick  and  his 
M'ife,  in  one  of  the  longest  criminal  trials  that  ever  occupied  the  attention  of  a 
Philadelpliia  jury.  Ilis  defence  of  Mr.  Alibone,  charged  with  conspiracy  to 
defraud  the  Pennsylvania  bank,  in  an  important  and  protracted  trial,  triumphed 


HON.   F.   CARROLL   BREWSTER.  545 

eminent.  For  years  prior  to  his  elevation  to  the 
bench  he  had  more  cases  upon  trial  and  argument 
lists  than  any  other  member  of  the  bar.  In  the  con- 
duct of  contested  election  cases  he  was  particularly 
distin<2:uished.  Several  were  aro-ued  before  the  Com- 
mittee  on  Elections  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
at  "Washington.  In  important  constitutional  questions 
his  aid  was  eagerly  sought.  The  constitutionality  of 
the  act  allowing  soldiers  to  vote,  of  the  act  of  Con- 
gress making  greenbacks  a  legal  tender,  and  others 
— were  all  argued  and  gained  by  Mr.  Brewster. 

In  1S62,  he  was  elected  City  Solicitor  by  a  large 
vote,  and  re-elected  in  1SG5  hy  an  increased  majority. 
In  18GG  he  was  nominated  for  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas,  and  received  a  greater  majority  in  his 
county  than  the  governor  polled.  During  the  time 
he  has  occupied  the  bench,  his  decisions  have  been 
marked  by  clearness  of  judgment  and  great  industry 
in  the  examination  of  authorities.  These  decisions 
of  important  questions  have  won  him  the  highest  name 
as  a  jurist,  and  secured  universal  confidence  and  com- 
mendation. Some  cases  have  bristled  with  perplex- 
ing points,  having  to  be  decided  almost  upon  the 
moment.  Mr.  Brewster  was  ever  known  to  be  a 
"whole-souled  Union  man,"  and  a  fearless  patriot. 
His  cheerful,  cordial  and  frank  manner  inspires  confi- 
dence, and   is  peculiarly  agreeable  in  society.     He 

over  tlie  jwpular  prejudice.  In  otlier  celebrated  cases  his  labor  triiin)pl:cd. 
Ebon  Lane,  wlio  was  captured  by  the  Confederates  with  a  New  Encjland 
vessel,  had  been  compelled  by  them  to  navigate  "  The  Enchantress."  He 
did  so  in  such  a  way  as  to  get  her  overhauled  by  the  L^nited  States  steamer 
"Albafross."  It  needed  the  skill  of  his  distinguished  counsel  to  rid  him 
of  the  suspicion  naturally  attaching  to  such  association. 


546  Lincoln's  administration. 

has  the  scorn  of  all  crooked  ways  innate  in  a  high- 
toned  gentleman,  and  his  rich  mental  culture  is  evi- 
dent in  conversation.  As  a  speaker  he  is  equalled  by 
few,  and  the  natural  advantages  of  a  clear  and  finely 
modulated  voice,  noble  features  and  an  elegant  per* 
son,  aid  the  effect  of  his  oratory. 

The  financial  question  w^as  one  of  so  great  im- 
portance during  the  administration  of  Mr.  Lincoln, 
that  it  brought  into  prominent  positions  many  gen- 
tlemen who  had  not  previously  been  much  in  the  habit 
of  frequenting  the  "salons"  of  the  capital.  Many 
brought  w^ith  them  their  wives  and  daughters,  usually 
well-educated,  refined,  intelligent  ladies,  often  more 
dignified  and  retiring  than  showy.  Among  them 
were  the  wife  and  daughter  of  Mr.  J.  U.  Orvis  of  New 
York.  He  had  established  a  national  bank  in  that 
city,  and  managed  it  so  successfully  as  to  have  drawn 
from  Secretary  Chase  at  Providence,  R.  L,  the  remark, 
that  he  considered  the  bank  of  which  Mr.  Orvis  was 
president  a  model  of  what  he  intended  those  finan- 
cial institutions  to  be.  Secretary  Fessenden  also  com- 
plimented Mr.  Orvis  publicly  on  "  having  done  his 
duty;"  and  an  assistant  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
said  that  he  did  "as  much  as  any  banker  in  the 
country  to  promote  the  sale  of  government  bonds  in 
the  time  of  the  country's  necessity." 

The  peculiar  great  financial  movements  of  those 
days  can  now  scarcely  be  understood.  The  daily 
doings  of  the  various  ao-ents  were  chronicled  in  the 
journals,  and  the  great  public  heart  vibrated  as  with 
electric  shocks,  when  reports  came  in  of  the  almost 
fabulous  amounts  transferred  to  the  public  treasury. 


OPINION    OF    LINCOLN.  547 

In  one  case  we  heard  of  an  ordinary  carriage  driven 
down  Broadway  to  the  Sub-Treasury,  conveying  four 
millions  of  dollars  in  greenbacks.  In  another,  of  a 
Messenger  carrying  four  hundred  thousand  dollars  on 
his  back  in  a  bag,  being  jostled  in  a  crowd,  and  re- 
lieved by  a  pickpocket  of  eight  dollars  w^hich  was 
in  his  vest  pocket.  Mr.  Orvis  has  been  connected 
as  originator,  director  or  chief  officer,  with  some  of 
the  best  and  most  successful  institutions  in  the  coun- 
try. As  the  originator  and  president,  from  1864  to 
1867,  of  the  Ninth  National  Bank  of  New  York,  which, 
under  his  direction,  furnished  the  government  with 
the  money  for  over  one-twentieth  part  of  the  entire 
7-30  loan,  Mr.  Orvis  achieved  the  crowning  success  of 
his  financial  career.  In  one  day  he  obtained  a  sub- 
scription exceeding  five  millions  of  dollars. 

x\n  Encrlish  visitor  said  of  Lincoln  :  "  There  are 
women  about  whom  no  one  ever  thinks  in  connection 
with  beauty ;  and  there  are  men  to  whom  the  epithet 
of  ^gentlemanlike'  or  Huigentlemanlike'  appears  ut- 
terly incongruous  ;  and  of  such  is  the  President.  Still, 
there  is  about  him  a  complete  absence  of  pretension, 
and  an  evident  desire  to  be  courteous  to  everybody, 
which  is  the  essence,  if  not  the  outward  form,  of  high 
breeding.  There  is  a  softness,  too,  about  his  sm'ile, 
and  a  sparkle  of  dry  humor  about  his  eye  which  re- 
deem the  expression  of  his  face.  You  cannot  look 
upon  his  worn,  bilious,  anxious  countenance,  and  be- 
lieve it  that  of  a  happy  man.  In  private  life  his  dis- 
position, unless  report  and  physiognomy  both  err,  is  a 
sombre  one  ;  but,  coupled  with  this  he  has  a  rich  fund 
of  dry,  Yankee  humor." 


548  Lincoln's  administration. 

"  My  first  reflection,  at  meeting  Mr.  Seward,  was 
one  of  wonder  that  so  small  a  man  should  have  been 
near  creating  a  war  between  two  great  nations ;  a 
man,  I  should  think,  little  over  five  feet  and  a  half  in 
height  and  some  sixty  years  of  age,  with  small,  deli- 
cate hands  and  feet,  and  a  spare,  wiry  body,  scanty, 
snow-white  hair,  deep-sunk,  clear  gray  eyes,  a  face 
clean  shaven,  and  a  smooth,  colorless  skin.     He  was 
in  his  office  when  I  first  saw  him,  dressed  in  black, 
with  waistcoat  half-unbuttoned,  one  leg  over  the  side 
of  his  arm-chair,  and  a  cigar  stuck  between  his  lips. 
You  are  at  your  ease  with  him  at  once ;   there  is  a 
frankness  and  honJiomie  about  his  manner  which  ren- 
ders it  very  pleasant.      A  glance  at  that  spare,  hard- 
knit  frame,  and  that  clear,  bright  eye,  shows  that  no 
pleasure  has  been  indulged  in  to  excess  throughout 
his  long,  laborious  career.      Probably  the  most  strik- 
ing looking  of  the  ministers  is  Mr.  Chase,  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury.      His  lofty,  spacious  forehead, 
his  fresh,  smooth  countenance,  his  portly  figure  and 
his  pleasant,  kindly  smile,  seem  to  mark  the  philan- 
thropist     Mr.  Blair,  though  a  Maryland  man,  is  the 
only  one  of  the  ministers  who  has  what  we  consider 
the   characteristic  Yankee    type   of  face — the    high 
cheek-bones,   sallow   complexion    and   long   straight 
hair.     Mr.  Gideon  Welles,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
wears  a  long  white  beard  and  a  stupendous  white 
wig,  which  cause   him  to  look  like  the  heavy  grand- 
father in  a  genteel  comedy.      Mr.  Bates  of  Missouri, 
the  Attorney-General,  is  a  lawyer,  very  much  like 
elderly  legal  authorities  in  other  parts  of  the  world.'* 
Mrs.  Lincoln  seemed  to  have  impressed  foreigners 


A  foreigner's  opinion.  549 

most  favorably.  A  visitor  said :  "  She  performed  her 
part  of  the  honors  in  response  to  the  ovation  paid  to 
her  as  well  as  to  her  husband,  with  that  propriety 
which  consistently  blends  all  the  graces  with  an  un- 
reserved dignity,  and  is  much  more  becoming  the  wife 
of  a  republican  President,  than  any  attempt  to  ape  the 
haughty  manner  of  European  courts."  Her  spirit  was 
equal  to  any  emergency.  Before  the  inauguration 
some  impudent  South  Carolinians  had  sent  to  Mrs. 
Lincoln  by  express  a  scandalous  painting  upon  can- 
vass, representing  her  husband  with  a  rope  round  his 
neck,  his  feet  chained,  and  his  body  covered  with  tar 
and  feathers.  Many  of  her  lady  friends  took  up  the 
newsj)aper  rumors  of  intended  attacks  upon  him 
while  on  his  w^ay  to  the  Federal  capital,  and  entreated 
her  to  delay  her  removal  to  Washington  till  he  was 
safely  installed  m  the  White  House.  But  the  cou- 
rageous lady  met  all  these  w^ell-meant  propositions 
w^ith  scorn,  and  made  the  spirited  declaration  that 
she  would  see  Mr.  Lincoln  on  to  Washington,  danger 
or  no  danger!  Her  self-possession  at  all  times  showed 
that  she  had  readily  adapted  herself  to  the  exalted 
station  to  which  she  had  been  so  strangely  advanced 
from  the  simple  social  life  of  the  little  capital  of 
Illinois. 


XX. 

JOHNSON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Social  Reaction  from  the  Depression  caused  by  the  ^^'a^ — The  fash- 
ionable Season  a  Carnival — Changes  in  Society — Andrew  Johnson 
and  his  Family — New  Years,  1866 — Prominent  Ladies — The  French 
Minister's  Party — Marriage  of  Mrs.  Douglas — Madame  Le  Yert  and 
her  Daughters — Opening  Receptions  of  tlie  next  January — Mrs. 
Sprague  —  Receptions  at  Chief-Justice  Chase's  —  Celebrities  and 
Beauties — Hon.  Alex.  W.  Randall — Mrs.  Randall — !Mrs.  Grant's 
Dress  and  Receptions — A  new  Feature  at  the  White  House — The 
Foreign  Ministers  —  Fashionable  Gayety  at  its  toppling  Height 
— Party  at  Admiral  Lee's — Splendid  Party  at  General  Butler's — At 
Senator  Morgan's,  &c. — Last  Reception  of  the  President — Mrs. 
Dahlgren's  Reunions — Mrs.  Pomeroy — Mrs.  Henderson — Mrs.  Wil- 
liams— Mrs.  Gaines — Rush  to  the  Capital. 

The  long  social  depression  and  privations  caused 
by  the  war,  were  followed  by  a  reaction  in  the  first 
year  of  the  term  of  Andrew  Johnson.  Even  the 
shock  of  President  Lincoln's  assassination  and  the 
mourning  of  the  Nation,  had  no  abiding  effect  in  check- 
ing the  gayety  resumed  when  a  few  months  bad 
passed.  The  fishionable  season  of  1866  was  almost 
a  carnival.  Washington  seemed  to  have  gone  wild. 
The  accession  to  society  of  many  families  suddenly 
grown  rich,  and  their  display  of  splendor  in  enter- 
tainments, the  unparalleled  influx  of  visitors  to  tlic 
capital,  the  emulation  of  ladies  anxious  to  become 
leaders  of  the  ton,  the  general  love  of  pleasurable 


THE    SOCIAL    HE  ACTION".  551 

excitement  consequent  on  a  long  season  of  terror  and 
distress,  the  exultation  of  victory  and  the  joy  of  deliv- 
erance, the  expansion  of  good  feeling  and  the  aspira- 
tions of  ambition,  all  contributed  to  a  ^Yhirl  of  festivitj^ 
and  good  cheer.  The  older  residents  complained  of 
the  mixed  character  of  these  assemblages;  averred 
that  the  '-'scum"  had  all  risen  to  the  top,  and  that 
Washington  had  lost  its  pride  and  boast  in  the  indis- 
criminate admission  of  "everybody"  to  its  once  bril- 
liant circles,  and  its  confusion  of  "shoddy"  and  par- 
venu elements  with  solid  respectability.  But  little 
heed  paid  the  pleasure-loving  crowd  to  such  carping 
strictures.  The  city  overflowed  with  gayeties,  and 
those  who  liked  them  not  were  welcome  to  seclude 
themselves. 

Andrew  Johnson,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  born 
in  Ealeigh,  N.  C,  in  1808.  He  and  his  wife  traveled 
on  foot  across  the  mountains,  and  set  up  a  business 
establishment  in  Greenville,  Tenn.  He  was  Governor 
of  that  State  in  1853,  and  afterwards  United  States 
Senator.  Elected  Vice-President,  he  succeeded  to  the 
Presidency  by  the  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln  in  April, 
18G5.  Mrs.  Johnson  was  an  invalid,  unable  to  undergo 
the  fatigues  of  receiving  company ;  the  task,  there- 
fore, devolved  upon  her  daughters,  one  of  whom — 
Mrs.  Stover — was  a  widow ;  the  other — Mrs.  Patter- 
son— the  wife  of  a  Senator.  On  the  1st  January, 
186G,  the  gates  were  opened  to  the  public  at  twelve. 
Among  the  visitors  were  Sir  Frederick  Bruce,  the 
British  minister,  Mayor  W(dlach,  and  all  the  public 
otiicers  and  diplomatics.  Mr.  McCulloch  for  the  first 
time  opened  his  house  for  New  Year  festivities.     Mrs. 


552 


McCulloeh  was  assisted  in  receiving  by  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Meyers  of  New  York.  At  the  Postmaster-General's, 
Mr.  Dennison  Avelcomcd  his  guests.  Mrs.  Welles  re- 
ceived 'svith  cheerful  grace,  assisted  by  Miss  Mary 
Morgan.  General  Grant  received  company  at  his 
own  house  in  Georgetown ;  Mrs.  Dent,  the  wife  of 
General  Dent,  and  Mrs.  Porter,  wife  of  Colonel  Hor- 
ace Porter  of  Grant's  staff,  welcoming  the  guests. 
During  the  season  the  ladies  of  the  President's  family 
had  receptions  every  Tuesday  evening  and  every  Fri- 
day from  one  to  three,  exclusive  of  the  President's 
levees.  The  wife  of  Secretary  Stanton  received  on 
Saturday  evenings,  as  did  Admiral  and  Mrs.  Dahlgren. 
Part}^  divisions  were  ignored,  and  asperities  were  for- 
gotten in  the  cordiality  of  social  intercourse.  Mrs. 
Harlan,  wife  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  also 
held  weekly  receptions.  At  those  of  Schuyler  Col- 
fax, his  mother,  Mrs.  Mathews,  and  Miss  Mathews,  re- 
ceived the  visitors.  The  parties  at  Secretary  Welles' 
were  noted  for  overflowing  hospitality,  reviving  the 
memory  of  old  times.  The  wife  of  General  Pamsey — 
Miss  .Gales — was  a  celebrity.  The  Marquis  de  Mon- 
tholon,  French  minister,  who  resided  in  the  house  of 
Cocheron  the  banker,  gave  receptions.  At  one  of  his 
regal  parties  the  guests  remained  till  morning,  partak- 
ing of  a  sumptuous  breakfast  before  the  gentlemen  de- 
parted to  their  several  places  of  business.  Some  of  the 
ladies  attended  morning  receptions  the  same  day  with- 
out changing  the  costume  worn  at  the  ball;  thus  keep- 
ing up  festivities  for  twenty-four  hours  without  inter- 
ruption. In  January,  1 86G,  the  distinguished  Madame 
Le  Yert,  with  her  lovely  daughters,  Miss  Octavia  and 


BEILLIAXT    PARTIES.  553 

Miss  Cara  Netta,  came  to  spend  some  weeks  in  AYash- 
ington.  The  city  was  thronged  with  the  most  nota- 
ble of  society  from  the  North  and  West,  and  such  a 
winter  had  not  been  known  for  eight  years.  Mad- 
ame Le  Vert  frequently  attended  six  receptions  dur- 
ing the  day,  and  four  or  five  parties  the  same  evening. 
Mrs.  George  W.  Riggs  gave  a  splendid  party  the  same 
evening  she  arrived,  at  which  the  charming  lady  met 
numerous  old  friends  from  whom  she  had  been  sepa- 
rated during  the  gloomy  years  of  the  war.  Her  re- 
ception in  Washington  circles  was  most  cordial.  Her 
daughters  were  admired  belles  wherever  they  ap- 
peared. 

On  the  23d  January,  General  Robert  Williams  was 
wedded  to  Mrs.  Douglas,  formerly  Miss  Cutts,  the 
wddow  of  the  noted  Senator.  She  gave  four  superb 
receptions  after  her  marriage ;  at  the  first,  the  Right 
Rev.  Archbishop  Spalding  and  Chief-Justice  Chase 
were  present,  with  many  distinguished  persons,  and 
a  representation  from  Baltimore.  Mrs.  Grant  gave 
several  balls  and  some  of  the  largest  receptions  of  the 
season.  Mrs.  Sprague's  was  a  matinee  with  dancing 
and  Senator  Sherman's  was  attended  by  an  immense 
crowd.  Mrs.  Sherman's  quiet  grace  and  womanly 
sweetness  were  greatly  admired.  She  was  assisted 
by  her  niece,  Mary  Sherman.  The  Bachelor's  Ball 
called  to  mind  the  departed  glories  of  the  Washing- 
ton assemblies.  Party-givers  were  at  a  loss  to  find 
an  evening  disengaged.  At  the  British  embassy,  Lady 
El  ma  Thurlow  received  with  winning  grace  and  cor- 
diality. The  French  minister  had  married  Miss  Vic- 
toria Gratiot,  daughter  of  General  Gratiot,  and  a  belle 
34 


554  Johnson's  administkation. 

in  the  most  distinguished  circles.  Conspicuous  in 
society  were  Mrs.  Charles  Knapp  and  Governor  and 
Mrs.  Smythe  of  New  Hampshire.  After  Lent  a  bril- 
liant reception  was  given  by  General  and  Mrs.  Grant, 
at  which  the  President  and  his  daughters  were  seen, 
w^ith  Sir  Frederick  Bruce,  Mr.  and  Lady  Ehna  Thur- 
low,  Alexander  H.  Stephens,  etc.,  among  the  notables. 
Li  January  1867,  Mr.  0.  H.  Browning  was  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  and  led  the  w^ay  in  receptions ;  also 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Mathews  at  those  of  Mr.  Colfax.  Select 
receptions  w^ere  given  by  General  Grant,  with  danc- 
ing, and  by  Mayor  and  Mrs.  Wallach.  Mrs.  Sprague's 
morning  receptions  were  given  at  the  house  of  her 
father,  Chief-Justice  Chase.  The  engaging  manners 
of  Mrs.  Sprague  gave  her  an  ascendency  in  society. 
Her  slender  form  became  a  rich  and  ornamented  style 
of  dress,  and  her  eyes,  fringed  with  dark  lashes,  lighted 
her  intellectual  face  with  expression.  The  Senator 
had  lustrous  eyes,  with  small  features  and  long  hair 
rather  carelessly  worn.  His  manner  was  gentle,  but 
he  was  said  to  possess  a  striking  element  of  great- 
ness— tenacity  of  purpose.  The  presence  of  the  Chief- 
Justice  would  grace  a  palace ;  his  face  expressed  the 
most  bounteous  benevolence.  At  this  time  Mrs.  Alex- 
ander W.  Randall,  one  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of 
Washington  society,  had  recently  arrived  from  Europe 
with  her  husband,  the  Postmaster-General.  Mr.  Charles 
Eames,  recognized  as,  in  his  specialty — the  Admiralty 
jurisprudence — one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  able 
members  of  that  bar,  was  struck  down  by  sudden  ill- 
ness and  removed  from  this  world.  The  best  society 
suffered  a  great  loss  in  the  withdrawal  of  his  widow, 


NEW  years'  reception.  555 

wlio  went  to  Europe.  The  daughter  of  General  Mor- 
ris Miller,  and  grand-daughter  of  Major-General  Ma- 
comb, who  had  been  Commander-in-Chief  under  John 
Quincy  Adams  and  Jackson,  was  this  winter  married 
to  Major-General  Frank  Wheaton  of  Rhode  Island. 
Mrs.  Stanbery,  the  wife  of  the  Attorney-General,  and 
Mrs.  Reverdy  Johnson,  were  noted  on  many  occasions. 
Card  receptions  were  given  in  February  by  the  secre- 
taries, and  a  party  at  the  house  of  Senator  Pomeroy 
of  Kansas,  where  the  delighted  guests  enjoyed  "  the 
wee  sma'  hours  ayont  the  twal'." 

On  New  Year's  Day,  1868,  the  chief  celebration 
was,  of  course,  at  the  White  House.  At  eleven  the 
mem.ber  of  the  cabinet  and  foreign  ministers,  the 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress  and  the  Judges  of  the  District 
and  Court  of  Claims  were  received,  followed  by  army, 
navy  and  marine  officers.  Then  came  the  soldiers  of 
the  War  of  1812,  and  the  "Oldest  Inhabitants'  Asso- 
ciation of  the  District;"  and  at  noon  the  citizens  were 
admitted.  The  black  suits  of  statesmen  and  jurists, 
and  the  splendid  toilets  of  the  ladies,  were  contrasted 
with  the  court  dresses  of  the  foreign  ministers  and 
their  attaches,  and  the  full  dress  uniforms  of  officers 
in  service.  General  Sherman's  daughter  wore  light 
buff  grenadine  over  a  green  silk  skirt  gored  and 
with  full  train;  Mrs,  Rives  lavender-colored  silk 
trimmed  with  folds  of  black  velvet,  a  black  velvet 
cloak  and  white  bonnet;  Mrs.  Freeman,  wife  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  British  legation,  a  pearl-colored  silk 
and  black  lace  shawl,  with  white  bonnet;  Mrs.  Long, 
sky-blue  silk  trimmed  with  folds  of  white  satin,  with 


556  Johnson's  administration. 

white  cloak  and  bonnet;  Mrs.  Michler  black  moire 
antique  with  white  furs,  and  black  velvet  bonnet. 
A  very  old  gentleman,  Mr.  Noble  Hurdle,  residing  in 
Georgetown,  took  President  Johnson  by  the  hand, 
and  said:  "God  bless  you,  Mr.  President!  I  have 
shaken  the  hand  of  every  President  from  Washing- 
ton's time,  and  now,  Sir,  I  am  happy  to  shake 
3^ours."  The  mansion  of  Secretary  Seward  was  also 
a  central  point  of  interest;  as  was  that  of  General 
Grant,  Secretary  McCulloch,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  Postmaster-General  Randall,  and  Chief-Justice 
Sprague.  Senator  Reverdy  Johnson,  too,  received  a 
large  number  of  friends,  entertaining  them  >vith 
hospitality. 

Hon.  Alex.  W.  Randall  is  a  native  of  Ames,  Mont- 
gomery County,  N.  Y. ;  a  son  of  Judge  Phineas  Ran- 
dall, a  gentleman  of  great  legal  ability.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  set  off  for  Wisconsin,  alone  and 
without  means.  He  resided  at  Waukesha,  where  he 
lived  a  score  of  years.  His  advancement  being  very 
rapid,  he  became  identified  with  the  interests  of  the 
State,  and  filled  many  important  offices.  His  profes- 
sion was  that  of  the  law.  He  was  Governor  of  Wis- 
consin in  1857  and  1858,  re-elected  triumphantly  by 
the  citizens,  who  w^ere  justly  proud  of  his  fame  and 
honorable  character.  He  did  honor  to  the  chair  of 
state  by  his  firm  and  decided  discharge  of  duties ; 
and  his  wise  and  vigilant  course  gave  entire  satisfac- 
tion to  his  political  friends.  He  was  a  most  eloquent 
speaker,  luiexcelled  as  an  orator  in  debate;  clear,  for- 
cible and  conclusive.  His  eminent  ability  and  ac- 
knowledged integrity,  with   his  indomitable  energy, 


HON.  ALEX.  W.  KANDALL,  557 

fitted  him  for  the  highest  responsible  office.  He  re- 
signed the  Governorship  to  accept  the  post  of  United 
States  Minister  to  the  Papal  Court  at  Rome,  after- 
\vards  returning  to  take  the  office  of  First  Assistant 
Postmaster-General;  succeeding  Mr.  Dennison  of  Ohio 
as  Postmaster-General  at  the  restoration  of  the  Union, 
and  holding  that  office  more  than  three  years.  \Yhile 
First  Assistant,  he  was  married  at  Elmira  to  Miss  Helen 
M.  Thomas,  formerly  of  Wisconsin.  This  beautiful 
young  girl  had  been  for  many  years  an  orphan,  and 
a  ward  of  Governor  Randall.  Her  life  had  been  in 
great  part  passed  at  school;  for  some  time  at  the 
Rockford  Female  Seminary  and  the  Elmira  College ; 
her  education  having  been  completed  under  private 
professors.  After  she  became  Mrs.  Randall,  she  resid- 
ed six  years  in  Washington,  and  w^as  universally  ad- 
mired for  beauty,  grace  and  intellectual  gifts,  while 
her  gracious  and  winning  manners  were  the  true  in- 
dication of  a  gentle  and  generous  nature.  Few,  if 
any  ladies  w^ere  ever  more  popular,  or  more  beloved 
by  her  own  sex.  Mrs.  Randall's  form  is  slender  and 
symmetrical ;  her  features  have  classic  regularity,  and 
her  complexion  is  of  that  pearly  paleness  so  exquisite 
in  a  faultless  face,  varying  in  color  with  every  shade 
of  feeling.  She  always  had  perfect  taste  in  dress, 
and  her  presence  gave  a  charm  to  every  circle.  Her 
loss  was  deeply  felt  and  deplored  when  she  left  Wash- 
ington, ^'She  is  lovely!'' — was  the  emphatic  phrase 
of  every  tongue;  and  all  felt  as  if  one  dearly  prized 
had  been  removed  from  their  midst. 

In  January,  1868,  at  a  reception  by  the  ladies  of 
the  executive  mansion,  among  the  guests  were  Hon. 


558  JOHNSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

R.  S.  Spofford  and  his  wife — Harriet  Prescott  SpofFord, 
Receptions  were  regularly  given  by  General  and  Mrs. 
Grant,  and  the  members  of  the  cabinet.  Mr.  Edward 
Thornton,  the  newly  appointed  British  minister,  had 
the  advantage  over  his  old  bachelor  predecessors,  Sir 
Frederick  Bruce  and  Lord  Lyons,  in  being  a  married 
man.  Mrs.  and  Miss  Matthews  were  noted  at  Grant's ; 
also  Miss  Smythe  of  New  York ;  the  secretaries  and 
Postmaster-General  Randall  with  his  young  wife. 
Conspicuous,  too,  were  Generals  Sheridan,  Hearney, 
Ord,  Thomas,  Carr,Washburne,  Dent,  Badeau,  McCook, 
Senators  Cole  and  Corbett,  Clark  Mills,  a  few  of  the 
foreign  ministers,  and  a  delegation  of  Lidian  chiefs. 
Sheridan's  brisk  and  jovial  manners  seemed  to  infuse 
increased  animation  through  the  company,  and  there 
was  much  standing  on  tiptoe  to  catch  a  glimpse  of 
his  compact  little  figure.  Mr.  Johnson  introduced 
into  the  social  life  of  the  White  House  a  hitherto 
almost  imknown  feature — children's  parties.  One 
given  in  December  was  a  highly  enjoyed  entertain- 
ment. The  President's  grandchildren  invited  over 
three  hundred  juveniles  to  a  party  in  which  there 
was  dancing  and  a  supper.  The  supper  table  had  in 
the  center  a  large  cake  inscribed  with  Mr.  Johnson's 
name,  presented  to  him  as  a  birthday  gift,  he  having 
just  completed  his  sixtieth  year. 

At  the  New  Year's  reception  immediately  follow- 
ing, Secretary  Seward  introduced  M.  Berthemy,  the 
French  minister,  wearing  the  cross  of  the  Legion  and 
a  tri-colored  sash ;  Baron  Gerolt,  the  Prussian  ambas- 
sador, with  heavy  gold  embroidered  pocket  lappets 
and   collar ;  and  Blacque  Bey,  the  Turkish  minister, 


THE    HEIGHT    OF    GAYETY.  559 

with  his  crimson  fez,  gold  mounted  scimiter  and  gor- 
geous oriental  costume.  Baron  Stoeckl,  the  Russian 
minister,  Le  Baron  de  Frankenstein,  the  Austrian 
Charge  d'  Affaires,  Baron  de  \Yetterstedt  of  Sweden, 
and  Senor  Don  Colonel  Domingo  F.  Sarmiento,  of  the 
Argentine  Republic,  followed ;  afterwards  Don  Alberto 
Gava,  of  the  Chilean  Legation,  M.  de  Bille,  Danish 
minister,  Chevalier  Marcee  Cerrutti,  Italian,  and  others 
of  the  Spanish,  Russian,  and  Grecian  Legations;  with 
the  Peruvian  minister  and  Consul  General  of  Switzer- 
land, &c. 

During  January  and  the  first  ten  days  of  February, 
1869,  the  fashionable  gnyety  w\as  at  its  toppling 
height,  and  improved  w^th  a  rush.  A  thousand  cards 
of  invitation  w^ere  sent  out  for  a  bridal  party  by  Ad- 
miral and  Mrs.  Lee.  The  bride  w^as  a  daughter  of 
Montgomery  Blair.  Mrs.  Blair,  the  daughter  of  Mrs. 
Levi  Woodbury,  has  been  mentioned  as  a  leader  in 
society.  Miss  Woodbury,  her  sister,  w\as  as  much  ad- 
mired as  ever,  and  even  more  beautiful.  The  Presi- 
dential receptions  seemed  to  become  more  popular  as 
the  time  approached  for  their  discontinuance.  The 
dresses  of  the  ladies  were  pronounced  less  gorgeous 
than  last  year,  but  were  of  singular  variety.  A  few 
ladies  came  in  bonnets  and  shawls ;  and  sometimes  a 
long  cloth  cloak  and  fur  cape  moved  among  a  bevy 
in  airy  ball  costume.  The  most  marked  contrast  in 
colors  was  observable.  One  remarkable  looking;  mid- 
die-aged  lady,  with  a  winning  and  lively  grace,  was 
Mrs.  Judge  Merrick. 

The  party  at  iVdrniral  Lee's  was  said  to  be,  in  point 
of  the   number   and   distinction   of   the   guests,   the 


5G0  JOHNSON'S    ADMINISTEATION. 

brilliancy  of  the  scene,  and  the  general  ^-success,"  the 
most  magnificent  given  in  the  capital  for  the  last 
twenty  years.  It  was,  in  fact,  historical,  if  we  con- 
sider the  number  of  generals,  statesmen  and  scholars 
present,  and  given  in  compliment  to  the  bridal  pair 
— General  and  Mrs.  Comstock.  The  rooms  were 
filled  at  ten  o'clock,  with  a  gaily  dressed  crowd. 
General  Meade  was  there,  and  Senator  Sherman  was 
for  a  few  moments  conspicuous.  The  Secretaries 
were  seen  as  they  passed,  and  the  next  moment  lost 
in  the  flutter  of  lace  and  silk.  The  three  Misses 
Blair  were  among  the  bridesmaids.  The  procession 
was  continually  pressing  along  towards  the  veranda, 
which  was  enclosed  and  draped  with  flags  for  the 
supper-room.  The  venerable  Frank  P.  Blair,  Sr.,  was 
seen ;  a  thin,  fragile  looking  man.  Generals  Delafield, 
"Woodruff,  Schofield,  Eaton,  Parker,  Miller,  Dent,  Bab- 
cock,  Ramsey,  and  many  others.  Secretary  Welles, 
Mayor  Wallach,  General  Humphreys,  etc.,  all  escorted 
ladies,  and  all  were  intent  on  the  banquet.  It  was 
elegantly  set  out,  under  hanging  baskets  of  flowers. 
The  greatest  celebrity  of  the  evening,  was  Mrs. 
Levi  Woodbury,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Montgomery 
Blair.  This  lady  came  from  Portland  to  spend  the 
winter,  about  the  1st  of  January.  Still  very  hand- 
some, she  brought  back,  like  a  dream,  recollections 
of  the  days  when,  in  General  Jackson's  second  term, 
she  was  the  hostess  in  many  a  brilliant  party  at  the 
Secretary's  residence.  She  has  a  highly  intellectual 
countenance,  with  graceful  self-possession,  and  the 
most  winning,  cordial  kindness  beams  from  her  eyes 
and  speaks  in  her  voice.     A  noted  guest  w^as  Mrs. 


PARTY    AT    GENERAL    BUTLER'S.  561 

Fremont.  The  daughter  of  Senator  Benton  and  the 
wife  of  so  distinguished  a  man  as  General  Fremont, 
she  is  always  a  celebrity,  besides  being  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  Avomen  in  conversation  in  America.  "How 
changed  she  is!"  ejaculated  a  gentleman.  But  her 
gray  hair  was  a  mark  of  honor;  her  locks  having 
changed  from  a  dark  brown  to  their  present  frosted 
aspect,  in  three  days,  during  the  troubles  of  the  war. 
Attorney-General  and  Mrs.  Evarts  gave  a  card  re- 
ception the  same  evening;  many  of  the  guests  go- 
ing there  iirst.  The  season  was  closed  by  a  party  at 
General  Butler's,  where  all  of  beauty,  brilhancj^,  fash- 
ion and  official  dignity  that  Washington  sends  forth 
to  scenes  of  gayety,  was  gathered.  The  staircases  to 
the  dressing-rooms  on  the  third  floor  were  adorned 
with  pots  of  flowers  and  green  flo\vering  vines  that 
wreathed  the  banisters.  In  front  of  every  large  mir- 
ror in  the  parlors  were  suspended  immense  baskets 
of  flowering  and  fragrant  plants;  also  from  the  doors 
and  window^  cornices,  while  wreaths  of  fern  and  bright 
autumnal  leaves  surrounded  the  pictures.  The  eflect 
w\as  unique  and  splendid.  Mrs.  Butler  was  dressed 
in  a  "Turkey  red"  silk  w^ith  train  and  panier,  and  low 
corsage.  A  white  point  lace  scarf,  fastened  on  the 
left  shoulder,  crossed  the  panier,  looped  under  the 
right  arm,  and  half  way  down  the  skirt.  Her  hair 
was  arranged  in  a  thick  heavy  coil  on  the  top  of  the 
head  with  several  long  ringlets  floating  down  the  back 
of  the  neck.  At  her  right  stood  the  General,  and  on 
her  left  a  fairy  vision  of  loveliness — Miss  Blanche 
Butler;  tall,  graceful  and  elegant,  with  a  wealth  of 
rippling  auburn  hair,  having  the  golden  sheen  so  much 


562  Johnson's  administration. 

prized,  floating  down  behind,  and  coils  on  the  top  of 
the  head;  attired  in  a  flowered  silk  robe  witli  white 
ground,  with  long  train  and  high  and  large  panier; 
the  underskirt,  white  ta:"letan  w^th  fluted  flounces. 
The  ladies  w^ere  generally  dressed  with  great  magnifi- 
cence. Speaker  Colfax  was  lively;  his  wife  was 
dressed  in  corn-colored  silk,  much  gored,  and  plain  in 
front,  w^th  black  lace  trimmings.  There  was  also 
General  Eamsey,  of  the  War  department,  a  jovial- 
looking  gentleman  w^ith  w4iite  locks,  and  a  frequent 
and  pleasant  smile;  with  General  George  H.  Thomas, 
the  hero  of  the  battle  of  Nashville ;  Generals  Har- 
^"  "^'ey  and  Heintzel,  General  McCook,  and  many  others. 
Mrs.  McCook  w\as  pointed  out  as  the  handsomest  lady 
in  the  room — short  and  in  misty  white,  with  brilliant 
complexion,  and  bright,  black  eyes. 

The  evening  before  there  had  been  a  brilliant  party 
at  Senator  Morgan's.  Mrs.  Morgan  w\as  dressed  in  blue 
satin,  with  a  flounce  of  white  lace,  and  a  handsome 
lace  shawl.  She  w^ore  superb  diamonds.  The  enter- 
tainment was  in  compliment  to  Mrs.  Beach  of  Phila- 
delphia, wdio  wore  a  lemon-colored  satin  robe,  trimmed 
w^ith  point  lace,  over  a  white  illusion  skirt,  wath  flounce 
of  point  lace,  the  necklace  pearls  and  diamonds.  The 
bouquets  were  very  numerous;  baskets  and  globes  of 
flowers  were  in  every  available  spot,  and  a  wreath  of 
japonicas  hung  from  the  ceiling  of  one  of  the  parlors, 
supporting  a  basket  full  of  rich,  f^ragrant  blossoms  and 
trailing  vines. 

The  last  Presidential  evening  reception  but  one 
was  crowded,  though  enjoyable.  Mrs.  Patterson  re- 
ceived in  a  handsome  black  silk  dress,  low  in  the 


FAREWELL    RECEPTIONS.  563 

neck,  with  short  sleeves,  puffed  lace  coverincr  the 
neck  and  arms.  The  wife  of  the  British  minister 
wore  pink  silk,  with  train  and  panier,  and  over  it  a 
low-necked  basquine  of  black  velvet,  with  very  long 
points  and  profusely  trimmed  with  bugles.  Mrs. 
Gaines,  just  arrived  from  New  Orleans,  radiant  as 
ever,  wore  a  pearl-colored  satin  trimmed  with  black 
lace,  with  a  light  dress  bonnet  decorated  with  a  large 
aigrette  of  costly  diamonds.  "  She  must  have  been 
successful  in  her  ejectment  suits,"  said  one.  "  Oh," 
replied  another,  "  every  now  and  then  they  send  her 
a  million  as  a  sop  to  keep  her  quiet ! "  Mrs.  Gaines 
is  of  the  medium  height,  slender,  but  well  rounded 
and  symmetrical  in  form.  Iler  brown  hair  is  thick, 
and  clusters  in  short  curls;  her  eyes  are  dark  and 
brilliant;  her  complexion  is  fair  and  clear;  her  fea- 
tures are  regular,  and  she  is  beautiful  beyond  criti- 
cism. Full  of  life  and  animation,  fresh  in  feeling  and 
impulsive,  with  a  store  of  information  and  a  mind  well 
cultivated,  possessing  rich  humor  and  spirit,  with 
manners  cordial,  piquant  and  winning,  she  was  a  uni- 
versal favorite  in  society,  and  had  a  court  of  gentle- 
men about  her  wherever  she  moved. 

Mrs.  Dahlgren's  Saturday  evening  parties  were  con- 
tinued through  Lent,  and  were  often  numerously  at- 
tended. Something  of  sadness  prevailed  in  the  re- 
ceptions of  the  ladies  of  the  cabinet,  as  the  time  of 
parting  drew  near.  At  Mrs.  Randall's  last,  she  wore 
mauve  silk,  becoming  to  her  fair  and  delicate  beauty. 
Among  her  visitors  was  the  wife  of  Senator  Ramsey 
of  St.  Paul,  Minn.  The  luxuriant  tropical  style  of 
loveliness  was  exemplified  in  her  handsome  face  and 


564  JOHNSON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

majestic  form.  A  tall,  regal  looking  woman,  dressed 
in  dark  silk,  was  Mrs.  Chandler,  whose  husband  was 
the  Senator  from  Michigan.  Mrs.  Samuel  C.  Pomeroy, 
whose  husband  was  Senator  from  Kansas,  is  a  queenly 
looking  woman.  Her  features  are  massive,  but 
expression  lights  them  up  into  splendor  of  beauty. 
Her  eyes  are  blue,  and  her  complexion  is  fair.  Mrs. 
Henderson,  the  wife  of  the  Senator  from  Missouri,  is 
recently  married,  and  is  a  highly  intelligent  and  cul- 
tivated woman,  fluent  in  conversation  and  piquant  in 
wit. 

Mrs.  ^yilliams — Mrs.  Douglas  that  was — is  a  queen 
who  has  abdicated;  she  never  appears  in  general  so- 
ciety. Her  residence  is  a  beautiful  villa  a  little  out 
of  the  compact  part  of  the  city.  One  of  the  curiosi- 
ties of  the  capitol  is  the  model  of  the  statue  of  Lin- 
coln, for  which  Congress  has  appropriated  ten  thou- 
sand dollars.  There  were  many  competitors  for  this 
commission;  the  successful  candidate  being  a  young 
woman,  in  appearance  hardly  over  twenty,  who  pre- 
sented her  model,  and  bore  away  the  palm.  Her 
name  is  Miss  Yinnie  Keam.  She  presents  an  instance 
of  the  triumph  of  genius  over  difficulties,  almost  un- 
precedented in  the  history  of  art.  Sculptors  who 
have  devoted  half  a  lifetime  to  study,  might  be 
proud  of  the  model,  which  she  is  said  to  have  com- 
pleted after  two  years  of  labor.  She  is  short  and 
slight,  usually  seen  in  her  "working  dress,  and  is  very 
pretty,  with  fawn-like  dark  eyes. 

As  the  4th  of  March  approached,  the  city  became 
full  to  overflowing.  The  hotels  were  crammed,  and 
in  the  evening  their  parlors   presented  a  gorgeous 


DRESSING   AT   HOTELS.  665 

appearance ;  the  elder  ladies  appearing  in  gold  col- 
ored or  mauve  satin,  with  long  trains,  trimmed  with 
black  lace  or  white  point,  with  the  costliest  lace 
shawls,  and  diamonds  worth  a  duke's  ransom.  The 
ladies  of  the  South  and  West  often  dress  in  this 
ornate  style  in  hotels. 


XXI. 

GRANT'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Last  Reception  of  the  retiring  President — Ladies'  Dresses  —  Mrs, 
Thomas — Inauguration  Day — The  Procession  and  Pageants — Sur- 
Tiving  Soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812 — The  Ship  of  State — The  crowded 
Ball — Dresses  of  the  Ladies — The  Generals  present — Too  crowded 
for  Comfort — Licident  in  New  Orleans — General  Gaines'  gallant  De- 
fense of  his  Wife — The  partial  Judge — The  Advocate  of  "  AVomen's 
Rights  " — Mrs.  Gaines'  Interview  with  her,  and  sensible  Reproof  of 
her  Conduct — Ole  Bull  again — The  Cabinet — Mrs.  Walworth — Mrs. 
Gates — Sketch  of  Mrs.  Grant — Her  first  Reception  in  the  White 
House — Dresses  of  the  Ladies — Second  Reception — Reception  of 
Applicants  for  Office,  &c.,  at  the  White  House — Mrs.  Dix's  Recep- 
tion to  Mr.  Washburne — Mrs.  Robb — Mr.  Philp's  Entertainment. 

The  last  reception  of  the  retiring  President  was  a 
crush  that  rendered  the  ten  thousand  who  gained  ad- 
mission uncomfortable,  and  disappointed  the  thousands 
unable  to  get  even  to  the  doors.  Manj'  ladies  lost 
their  wrappings  and  were  compelled  to  return  home 
in  aerial  costume  without  protection  from  the  night 
air.  Yet  the  dresses  were  magnificent  almost  beyond 
precedent.  The  fashion  prevalent  of  loading  one  skirt 
above  another  with  trimminirs,  and  the  briii^ht  con- 
trasts  of  colors,  were  abundantly  exhibited.  Mrs. 
Patterson  received  in  black  velvet  with  a  lace  shawl. 
Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens  wore  black  velvet  with  low 
corsage  and  lace  shawl;    her  daughter-in-law,  white 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ABTOft,  LENOX 
TILDE N   FOUNDATIONS 


MUS.TLTIEY^SES  S^i^Fajy^T. 


MRS.  J.    T.    THOMAS.  569 

satin,  with  panier  looped  up  with  heavy  bands  of 
green  satin,  and  a  necklace  of  pearls.  Mrs.  Sprague 
was  dressed  in  blue  silk  with  a  pink  tunic,  and  pink 
convolvuluses  in  her  hair ;  Mrs.  Eandall  in  white  silk 
with  black  lace  trimming  and  pearl  ornaments.  The 
^•New  York  Times"  remarked:  "The  belle  of  the 
evening  was  recognized  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Jc^eph 
T.  Thomas  of  Philadelphia,  by  far  the  most  elegantly 
dressed  and  queenly-looking  woman  present."  In- 
deed, at  every  assemblage  and  on  every  festive  occa- 
sion of  this  season,  Mrs.  Thomas  had  been  noted  for 
beauty,  superior  bearing,  and  her  rich  and  tasteful 
attire. 

Mrs.  Thomas  is  a  native  of  the  valley  of  Virginia, 
and  was  educated  in  Richmond,  where  her  piquant 
and  graceful  manners  and  her  excellent  qualities  of 
heart  won  hosts  of  admirers  and  lasting  friends.  She 
was  married  at  the  elegant  country-seat  of  her  uncle, 
Colonel  Tuley  of  Virginia,  to  Mr.  J.  T.  Thomas,  a 
member  of  the  Philadelphia  bar ;  they  reside  on  Eit- 
tenhouse  Square,  in  that  city. 

Mrs.  Thomas  possesses  the  peculiar  charm  of  South- 
ern women,  a  blending  of  grace  and  dignity,  of  cor- 
dial frankness,  and  winning  ease.  Her  true  hospitality 
has  been  proved  by  many  visitors. 

The  morning  of  the  4th  of  March  opened  with  a 
pouring  rain,  but  as  the  time  approached  for  the  in- 
augural procession,  the  sun  parted  the  clouds,  and  ail 
looked  sunny  and  hopeful.  Mr.  Johnson  remained 
till  twelve  at  the  capitol,  where  he  was  said  to  have 
been  all  night  signing  bills.  For  three  or  four  dnys 
the  streets  of  Wash  inn;  ton  had   been  fidl  of   bustle 


570  grant's  administration. 

and  noise  of  words  and  works,  every  hour  bringing 
hundreds  of  new  comers,  all  the  hotels  overflowing, 
and  every  private  house  crammed  with  visitors.  The 
streets  through  which  the  procession  passed,  were  lined 
with  persons  standing,  and  the  windows  of  hotels  and 
shops  were  filled  with  spectators.  The  President 
elect  passed  in  his  carriage  with  his  private  secretary, 
taking  off  his  hat  and  bowing  to  either  side  contin- 
ually. There  was  great  enthusiasm  when  the  omni- 
bus passed  bearing  "  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the 
War  of  1812,"  and  the  Ship  of  State  well  manned 
and  rigged, — a  representative  pageant  that  always 
seems  to  please  the  populace.  The  colored  military 
turned  out  in  force.  The  Inauguration  Ball,  or  re- 
ception, took  place  in  the  new  wing  of  the  Treasury 
department.  Telegraphic  machines  were  set  on  the 
different  floors  to  start  the  dancing  sets;  but  there 
was  little  dancing.  The  committee  had  made  insuffi- 
cient provision  for  the  accommodation  of  those  to 
whom  they  sold  tickets.  The  surging  masses  of  hu- 
manity swelled  and  swayed,  to  the  utter  destruction 
of  all  comfort.  A  larger  number  was  brought  to- 
gether than  since  the  close  of  the  war,  and  crowd 
jostled  crowd;  vast  numbers  unable  to  proceed  find- 
ing their  energies  taxed  to  effect  an  egress.  The 
President,  Vice-President  and  their  ladies  had  a  small 
reception  room  in  another  part  of  the  building,  and 
w^ere  supported  by  Generals  Sherman,  Terry,  Kil- 
patrick,  Pleasanton,  Webb  and  Thomas,  with  Gen- 
eral Grant's  staff,  and  Admirals  Farragut  and  Golds- 
boroug^h — all  in  full  uniform.  Mrs.  Grant  was  dressed 
in  pearl-colored  satin  w^ith  long  train,  point  lace  fichu 


DRESSES   AT   THE    BALL.  571 

and  pearl  ornaments;  a  wreath  of  leaves  and  flowers 
on  her  hair;  Mrs.  Colfax  in  pink  satin  with  an  over- 
dress of  white  tulle  caught  up  with  pink  flowers;  the 
bodice  a  la  Pompadour,  and  pearl  ornaments.  The 
wife  of  General  Griffin  was  there,  with  Mrs.  and  Miss 
Pendleton,  the  last  in  white  silk  with  pink  satin  tunic. 
Mrs.  Gaines  wore  black  and  gold  lama  with  gold 
fringe  and  embroidery,  blue  bonnet  and  diamonds. 
Mrs.  Yiele  appeared  in  white  Valenciennes  lace,  with 
blue  ribbons  and  roses ;  the  wife  of  General  Webb  in 
lavender  silk ;  Miss  Spinner  in  pink  tulle ;  the  widow 
of  General  Greene  of  North  Carolina  in  heavy  black 
silk  brocaded  with  gold,  with  diamonds  in  her  head- 
dress; Mrs.  Christmas,  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Gaines, 
in  white  alpaca  with  blue  satin  train,  and  gold  jew- 
elry; the  daughter  of  Governor  Ward  of  New  Jersey, 
in  pale  silk  with  point  lace  panier;  the  wife  of  At- 
torney-General Robson  of  New  Jersey  in  blue  velvet 
with  overskirt  of  thread  lace;  hair  a  la  Marie  Antoi- 
nette. vSecretary  McCulloch  escorted  a  lady  in  puffed 
tarletan,  with  pink  satin  panier,  and  pearls  and  jew- 
elry, with  natural  curls.  The  mother-in-law  of  Fer- 
nando Wood  appeared  in  rich  costume  and  loaded 
with  diamonds ;  and  one  of  the  most  elegant  women 
seen  was  Mrs.  T.  M.  Pomeroy.  Miss  Phillips,  a  stately 
blonde,  accompanied  Miss  Barry,  an  elegant  brunette, 
wearing  corn-colored  silk,  with  a  profusion  of  dia- 
monds. Miss  Blanche  Butler  wore  pale  pink  silk 
with  long  train,  panier  of  point  appliquee,  diamonds 
and  pearls.  Miss  McCorcklin,  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Mor- 
gan, Mrs.  McClure,  Miss  Danbery,  Miss   Sands  and 

Miss  Bean,  a  niece  of  the  wife  of  Senator  Harlan, 
35 


572  grant's  administration. 

were  all  at  this  time  prominent  in  the  gay  circles  of 
Washington.  The  foreign  ministers,  as  usual,  came 
in  full  court  costume. 

Notwithstanding  such  splendors,  and  the  presence 
of  numerous  belles  and  distinguished  men,  most  of 
the  ladies  voted  the  assemblage  horrible  as  far  as 
comfort  was  concerned,  and  were  mortified  to  confess 
that  they  had  been  a  portion  of  the  struggling  and 
suffering  mass.  Mrs.  Gaines  commanded  as  usual,  a 
very  large  share  of  attention.  Her  devotion,  patience, 
heroic  hopefulness  and  dauntless  courage,  her  untir- 
ing defense  of  the  right,  were  so  admiringly  appre- 
ciated by  all,  that  it  may  be  truly  said  there  was  not 
so  popular  a  woman  in  Washington.  Everywhere  she 
was  surrounded,  and  v/as  stopped  every  moment,  if 
walking  out,  by  friends  delighted  to  recognize  her. 
Some  of  them  remembered  an  incident  that  occurred 
in  New  Orleans,  when  a  suit  was  brought  against  her, 
claiming  damages  for  asserting  her  title  to  a  certain 
portion  of  her  father's  property.  Mrs.  Gaines  appeared 
in  court  with  her  counsel  and  her  gallant  and  veteran 
husband, "  the  hero  of  Fort  Erie,"  who  came  in  his  uni- 
form, wearing  his  sword.  In  the  progress  of  the  trial 
the  counsel  fell  into  a  wrangle  with  the  judge,  and 
withdrew  from  the  court-room ;  whereupon  General 
Gaines  rose  and  announced  to  the  court  that  he  was 
the  husband  of  the  defendant,  and  as  an  admitted 
member  of  the  bar  of  the  United  States,  he  might 
claim  the  right  to  represent  his  wife's  interests.  Un- 
fortunately, however,  he  had  studied  law  in  Virginia 
under  a  very  different  system  of  jurisprudence,  and 
as  he  felt  out  at  sea  in  the  courts  of  a  civil  law  State 


MRS,  GAINES  IN  THE  NEW  ORLEANS  COURT.      573 

he  would  ask  that  the  lady  defendant,  who  was  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  the  remarkable  facts  of  her  his- 
tory than  any  one  else,  should  be  allowed  to  address 
the  jury  in  her  case.  The  judge  replied  that  the  lady 
had  the  right  to  argue  her  own  case.  Then  the  Gen- 
eral, with  that  grand  dignity  for  which  he  was  so  dis- 
tinguished, led  forward  Mrs,  Gaines,  who  proceeded 
to  address  the  jury  at  length,  reading  doouments  bear- 
ing upon  her  case.  The  judge  at  length  interfered, 
alleging  that  the  documents  were  not  in  evidence. 
The  lady  still  persisting,  he  again  interfered,  and  a 
disagreeable  contest  arose,  in  the  midst  of  which  Mrs, 
Gaines  charged  the  judge  with  having  an  interest 
against  her.  Judge  Buchanan  retorted  with  temper, 
and  notified  General  Gaines  that  he  was  expected  to 
control  his  wife  in  court,  where  no  persons  were  priv- 
ileged. Whereupon  the  stately  old  General  arose  to 
his  full  altitude  of  six  feet  three,  and  assuming  the 
position  of  a  commander  of  grenadiers,  and  gracefully 
touching  the  belt  of  his  sword,  responded;  "May  it 
please  your  honor,  for  everything  that  lady  shall  say 
or  do,  I  hold  myself  personally  responsible  in  every 
manner  and  form  known  to  the  laws  of  my  country 
or  the  laws  of  honor." 

This  reply  and  the  accompanying  action,  and  the 
appearance  of  the  General  in  his  military  garb,  aroused 
to  a  still  higher  pitch  the  Irish  fire  of  the  judge,  who 
quickly  answered :  "  General  Gaines,  this  court  will 
not  be  overawed  by  the  military  authorities." 

"  Rest  assured,  your  honor,  that  when  an  attempt 
of  that  sort  is  made,  the  sword  which  I  wear  in  con- 
formity to  the  regulations  of  the  service,  and  out  of 


574  grant's  administration. 

respect  to  this  honorable  court,  will  be  quickly 
unsheathed  to  defend  the  rights  and  dignity  of 
your  honor,  and  of  all  the  civil  tribunals  of  my 
country." 

After  these  explanations,  peace  and  order  -were 
restored,  but  the  judge  considered  it  his  duty  to  note 
the  charire  of  Mrs.  Gaines  that  he  was  sittins;  in  a 
case  in  which  he  was  interested.  He  should,  there- 
fore, reduce  it  to  an  exception  of  recusation,  and  re- 
quire the  evidence  to  be  produced  to  sustain  it.  It 
had  chanced  that  years  before,  in  some  proceedings 
in  which  Mrs.  Gaines'  rio-hts  were  involved,  Jud2:e  Bu- 
chanan  had  made  a  motion  for  a  brother  lawyer  who 
^yas  retained  against  Mrs.  Gaines.  This,  it  was  de- 
cided, did  not  justify  his  recusation,  and  the  case  pro- 
ceeded, and  was,  we  believe,  in  the  Supreme  Court 
at  least,  determined  in  favor  of  Mrs.  Gaines. 

This  was  the  first  appearance  of  Mrs.  Gaines  as  her 
own  advocate  in  court.  Afterwards  she  advocated  her 
case  in  and  out  of  court  to  the  judges,  in  public  and 
private,  in  every  place  and  vmder  all  circumstances, 
and  in  every  form  and  with  every  agency  and  ap- 
pliance, maintaining  all  the  while  her  confidence,  her 
equanimity,  her  earnest  zeal  and  unflagging  energies, 
and  exhibiting  to  the  world  the  most  remarkable  ex- 
ample of  courageous  devotion  and  resolute  persistency, 
wdiich  can  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  severest  of 
all  trials  of  human  patience  and  endurance,  tedious, 
complicated  and  exciting  lawsuits.  This  undoubted 
right  to  claim  the  possession  of  qualities  usually  as- 
signed to  the  sterner  sex,  gave  point  to  her  reproof 
of  the  fanatical  pretensions  of  an  advocate  of  women's 


THE   "women's    rights"    ADVOCATE.  575 

rights,  who  was  exhibiting  herself  at  this  time  in  Wash- 
ington as  an  illustration  of  the  superior  healthfulness 
of  masculine  attire.  Twenty  or  thirty  gentlemen  in 
the  employ  of  the  government  were  witnesses  of  the 
curious  interview  between  Mrs.  Gaines  and  ^'  Mrs.  Dr. 
Walker,"  as  the  former  came  out  of  the  patent  office. 
As  she  came  near  the  "Doctor"  in  her  peculiar  dress, 
Mrs.  Gaines  stopped,  asked  her  name  and  permission 
to  give  her  a  little  advice,  and  then  said  : 

"Please  discard  those  pantaloons." 

"Why  should  I  do  so?" 

"Because  it  shocks  the  moral  sentiment  of  the 
whole  people.  You  have  no  right  to  do  this;  the 
world  is  not  made  alone  for  you  or  me.  We  are 
only  part  and  parcel  of  the  whole.  Again,  you 
place  my  sex  in  a  false  position,  in  a  light  to  be  ridi- 
culed and  treated  with  contempt  by  the  other  sex. 
Had  I  assumed  your  garb,  I  should  have  failed  to  ob- 
tain the  sj'mpathy  of  the  virtuous  and  good  through- 
out the  country,  in  this  great  struggle  for  my  rights. 
If  your  object  is  imitation,  then  do  not,  I  pray,  imi- 
tate that  which  God  has  not  made  half  so  perfect  as 
woman ;  that  is — man." 

Mrs.  Walker  then  said: 

"Why  do  you  dress  in  this  gay  style  of  lace  and 
flowers?" 

To  which  Mrs.  Gaines  replied: 

"If  told  that  my  dress  was  repugnant  to  the  public 
taste,  I  would  instantly  change  it.  I  admit  that  it 
looks  more  youthful  than  my  years  would  warrant; 
but,  feeling  young,  I  dress  according  to  those  feelings. 
When  I  feel  old,  I  will  dress  suitable  to  age." 


576  grant's  administration. 

At  this  stage  of  the  conversation  Mrs.  Walker 
asked — 

"Who  are  you,  madam?" 

"I  am  Mrs.  Gaines." 

"Oh!  I  am  very  happy  to  know  you.  I  was  not 
prepared  to  see  so  young  a  looking  woman.  I  ex- 
pected to  see  a  lady  at  least  twenty  years  older  than 
you  appear  to  be.  What  is  the  secret  of  your  look- 
ing so  much  younger  than  you  really  are?" 

"  This  is  the  secret,  madam :  I  feel  kindly  towards 
every  human  being.  There  should  not  be  a  sorrow- 
ing heart  within  my  knowledge  if  I  could  prevent  it. 
I  look  upon  life  thus :  That  we  are  placed  here  by 
our  Heavenly  Father  to  assist  each  other  and  do 
every  possible  good  in  our  power.  Money  is  merely 
a  loan  to  effect  that  object.  Though  I  have  had  one 
of  the  severest  battles  of  life  for  nearly  thirty-seven 
years,  persecuted  and  wronged  out  of  my  estate  since 
childhood,  yet  notwithstanding  all  this,  I  entertain  no 
feelings  of  revenge  or  bitterness  towards  any  one,  and 
the  world  to-day  looks  to  me  as  bright  and  beautiful 
as  though  I  had  never  passed  through  such  terrible 
scenes  of  grief  and  sorrow ;  and  in  all  these  trials  I 
have  never  for  a  moment  ceased  to  entertain  an  ever- 
lasting, undying  faith  in  my  God,  upon  the  principle 
that  so  long  as  I  was  true  to  myself  He  would  be  true 
to  me.  My  life  has  been  devoted  to  duty.  A  fash- 
ionable woman  I  never  was.  God  has  blessed  me 
with  a  remarkable  constitution,  and  these  probably 
are  the  reasons,  madam,  why  they  say  I  look  so 
many  years  younger  than  I  really  am.  Now  permit 
me  to  renew  my  request  that  you  change  that  un- 


DISTINGUISHED    STRANGERS.  577 

seemly  garb.  I  am  told  that  you  are  advocating  wo- 
man's suffrage,  but  be  assured  that  by  your  appearance 
in  this  improper  apparel,  you  are  doing  that  cause 
more  injury  than  the  strongest  argument  of  its  ene- 
mies. What  can  be  the  object  of  your  wearing  this 
dress,  madam?" 

"  My  health." 

"  Your  health !  That  can  not  be,  for  I — continually 
exposed  to  all  weathers — enjoy  the  best  of  health,  and 
look  younger  to-day  than  you  do.  Pardon  me  for 
saying  that  I  fear  your  only  motive  proceeds  from  a 
vulgar  love  of  notoriety,  to  which  none  of  our  sex 
should  ever  descend." 

The  auditors  expressed  their  approval  of  these 
sentiments  by  repeated  plaudits. 

At  this  time  Ole  Bull  was  again  in  Washington,  and 
in  great  favor  with  lady  visitors  ;  his  form  still  erect 
and  majestic,  his  face  serene,  and  his  spirits  excellent. 
At  one  of  the  hotels  frequented  by  southerners  were 
the  widows  of  two  prominent  generals :  Mrs.  Greene 
of  North  Carolina,  and  Mrs.  Gates  of  New  York. 

The  roughest  kind  of  prose  followed  the  poetry  of 
inauo-uration  festivities.  The  AYliite  House  was  under- 
going  a  renovation  as  to  cleaning,  refurnishing,  &c.,  and 
the  President's  family  did  not  occupy  it  for  several 
days,  though  General  Grant  received  those  who  waited 
on  him,  and  there  was  a  continual  procession  of  stran- 
gers to  see  the  apartments.  Those  on  the  floor  above 
the  public  reception  rooms  were  every  day  filled  with 
eager  applicants  for  boons  from  the  Executive.  Many 
waiting  for  an  audience  were  women.  General  Dent, 
the  private  secretary,  introduced  them  as  fast  as  busi- 


578  grant's  administration. 

ness  could  be  despatched.  The  rooms  of  the  new 
officials  were  equally  besieged — and  they  were  go- 
ing through  a  purgatory  of  office-seekers.  General 
Grant's  cabinet  seemed  to  be  selected  with  reference 
to  the  competency  of  the  members  to  discharge  their 
duties  and  second  the  President  in  the  course  of  re- 
form and  retrenchment,  and  the  press  generally  ex- 
pressed approbation.  At  present,  it  stands  as  follows  : 
Hamilton  Fish  of  New  York,  Secretary  of  State ; 
George  S.  Boutwell  of  Massachusetts,  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury ;  John  A.  Rawlins  of  Illinois,  Secretary 
of  War ;  George  M.  Robeson  of  New  Jersey,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy ;  Jacob  D.  Cox  of  Ohio,  Secretary 
of  the  Interior.  Mr.  Cresswell,  the  retiring  Maryland 
Senator,  w^as  named  a  worthy  successor  to  Mr.  Randall 
in  the  office  of  Postmaster-General ;  Mr.  E.  Rockwood 
Hoar,  an  able  jurist  and  learned  scholar,  was  appointed 
Attorney-General.  The  cabinet  represents  diffi^rent 
sections  of  the  country,  and  is  composed  of  men  of 
culture  and  energetic  in  action. 

Mrs.  Chancellor  Walworth  (the  w^idow  of  Colonel 
Harden,  wdio  was  killed  at  Buena  Vista),  is  residing 
in  Washington,  and  one  of  her  intimate  friends,  the 
widow  of  General  Gates  (who  served  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  in  that  of  Florida  and  Mexico),  was  there 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  a  bill  passed.  She  is  yet 
young,  and  a  handsome  and  elegant  woman,  with  «i 
voice  of  rich  melody,  and  remarkably  pleasing  in  con- 
versation. These  two  ladies  got  up  the  farewell  fete 
given  at  the  National  to  Senator  and  Mrs.  Crittenden, 
which  has  become  historical.  The  distinction  and 
beauty  of  Washington  graced  that  party.     Mrs.  Wal- 


SKETCH    OF    MRS.  GRANT.  579 

worth  and  Mrs.  Gates  received  the  company,  supported 
by  the  ItaUan  minister  and  Mr.  Lovejoy.  Mrs.  Gates 
wore  white  silk  with  cherry  siUv  tunic  and  pearl  orna- 
ments ;  Mrs.  Walworth,  buff  satin  trimmed  with  lace, 
and  diamonds;  Mrs.  Crittenden,  black  velvet.  The 
Cabinet,  Senate  and  diplomatic  corps  were  repre- 
sented, and  a  farewell  address  was  delivered  to  Mrs. 
Crittenden.  That  was  one  of  the  last  of  those  chival- 
ric  festivals — as  different  from  the  taste  of  the  pres- 
ent day  as  the  baronial  feasts  of  the  middle  ages  from 
our  modern  political  gatherings.  Now  the  complaint 
is  that  the  rabble  have  overflowed  and  permeated 
everything  social,  at  least  where  the  masses  can  ob- 
tain access,  and  vuli^rar  self-assertion  rules  the  dav. 

Four  miles  west  of  Jefferson  barracks,  near  St. 
Louis,  in  a  house  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Merri- 
mack, lived  Colonel  Frederick  Dent,  the  father  of 
Mrs.  Grant.  He  had  settled  in  Missouri  in  1815,  pur- 
chasing land  on  Gravor's  Creek,  ten  miles  south-west 
of  St.  Louis,  and  calling  his  estate  Whitehaven.  It- 
comprised  a  pretty  variety  of  wooded  hills  and  grassy 
valleys.  Julia  was  the  fifth  child  and  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter. She  was  comely,  sprightly,  amiable  and  lovely, 
well-bred  and  attractive  in  her  manners.  She  received 
her  education  in  St.  Louis  at  Colonel  Moreau's  school 
Her  father's  house  and  estate  were  tended  by  some 
thirty  slaves,  and  the  hospitality  exercised  was  South- 
ern in  its  liberality.  When  Grant  joined  his  regi- 
ment in  the  neighborhood,  he  became  a  welcome  vis- 
itor, though  the  family  were  not  altogether  pleased 
when  the  young  lieutenant  won  the  affections  of  the 
eldest    daughter.      All   opposition    ceased,    however. 


580  grant's  admixistratiox. 

after  lie  had  saved  her  brother's  life  in  Mexico.  On 
the  22d  of  August,  1848,  Miss  Juha  Dent  was  mar- 
ried to  Ulysses  S.  Grant  in  St.  Louis.  It  was  a  merry 
wedding,  and  the  dancing  was  kept  up  till  midnight. 
The  company  consisted  of  the  numerous  friends  of 
the  Dent  family  and  Grant's  military  comrades.  Gen- 
eral and  Mrs.  Grant  resided  at  Detroit,  near  the  gar- 
rison, and  she  often  made  visits  to  her  father's  house. 
When  Mrs.  Grant  found  the  demands  of  society  exact- 
ing, she  fulfilled  them  with  grace,  and  in  a  spirit  of 
kindliness. 

Ever  since  the  close  of  the  war  she  had  lived  in 
some  measure  in  public;  had  resided  for  years  in 
Washington,  and  mingled  in  its  social  circles,  giving 
many  receptions  and  parties,  and  accompanying  the 
General  on  his  visits  to  other  cities  where  an  ovation 
w\as  tendered  to  him.  Thus  she  had  experience  to 
qualify  her  for  a  leader  in  the  best  society.  Her  first 
reception  in  the  White  House  w\as  given  early  in 
April.  The  visitors  were  ushered  into  the  red  draw- 
ing-room, and  presented  by  General  Michler.  Mrs. 
Grant  wore  lavender  silk  trimmed  with  white  lace; 
her  hair  slightly  crimped  in  front,  and  three  heavy 
curls  falling  over  her  left  shoulder.  Mrs.  Morgan, 
the  wife  of  the  Governor,  stood  on  her  right,  and  the 
wives  of  Senators  Morton  and  Williams  on  the  left: 
the  latter  in  crimson  silk  trimmed  with  white  quill- 
ing; Mrs.  Morgan  in  purple  silk.  Mrs.  Butler,  Miss 
Blanche  Butler,  Mrs.  Wilson  and  other  noted  ladies, 
represented  New  England.  General  Grant  was  not 
present  on  this  occasion.  The  second  weekly  recep- 
tion was  on  Tuesday  from  two  to  four;  when  Mrs. 


EECEPTIOXS — MRS.    ROBB.  581 

Grant  took  her  place  in  the  blue  room,  supported  by. 
the  wife  of  Senator  Sherman,  Mrs.  Fish,  the  Secre- 
tary's wife,  and  Mrs.  Hoar.  Her  dress  was  blue  silk, 
dotted  with  white  roses,  with  an  elaborate  train 
trimmed  with  white  lace,  displaj^ing  an  underskirt 
striped  with  lace. 

In  New  York  the  wife  of  General  Dix  gave  a 
superb  reception  to  Mr.  \Yashburne,  just  before  he 
sailed  for  Europe  to  replace  General  Dix  as  minister. 
Mr.  Washburne  stood  beside  the  hostess,  with  Mrs. 
Blake,  her  daughter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Eobb  were 
among  the  distinguished  guests.  Mrs.  Robb  was  Mrs. 
Stanard,  formerly  an  admired  leader  of  society  in 
Richmond,  Ya.,  and  since  the  war  a  resident  of  Balti- 
more. Her  beanty,  grace,  and  winning  manners,  with 
her  Southern  warmth  of  heart,  gained  hosts  of  friends. 
She  is  now  very  popular  in  New  York  society. 

A  memorable  entertainment  was  given  in  Washing- 
ton by  Franklin  Philp,  at  the  opening  of  his  elegant 
house,  and  most  of  the  celebrities  were  present. 
Mrs.  Philp's  dress  w^as  white  moire,  trimmed  with 
green  tarletan.  The  walls  were  covered  with  a  large 
collection  of  water  color  drawings. 

Mrs.  Sprague's  receptions  continue  to  be  a  promi- 
nent feature  of  society  in  Washington  during  every 
session.  Gifted  w^ith  beauty  and  brilliant  mental 
qualities,  her  reign  is  undisputed.  Her  lovely  sister, 
Miss  Chase,  assists  her  in  receiving  the  visitors. 


The  impression  produced  on  intelligent  strangers  is 
always  worth  notice.  An  English  tourist,  who  visited 
Washino-ton  during  the  civil  war,  said  :  "  Washington 


582  grant's  administration. 

has  not  the  one  merit  of  American  architecture — sym- 
metry. The  whole  place  looks  run  up  in  a  night,  like 
the  card-board  cities  which  Potemkin  erected  to  grat- 
ify the  eyes  of  his  imperial  mistress  on  her  tour 
through  Russia;  and  it  is  impossible  to  remove  the 
impression  that,  when  Congress  is  over,  the  place  is 
taken  down  and  packed  up  again  till  wanted.  Every 
body  is  a  bird  of  passage  at  Washington."  This  im- 
pression was  created  by  the  number  of  buildings  run 
up  for  temporary  occupation.  "  The  diplomatic  corps 
is  transitory  by  its  very  nature.  The  Senators,  Rep- 
resentatives and  ministers  reside  there  for  two,  four, 
possibly  six  sessions,  as  the  case  may  be  ;  the  clerks, 
officials  and  government  employes  are  all,  too,  mere 
lodgers.  Hence  none  of  these,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
has  a  house  of  his  own.  The  wives  and  families  of 
the  married  members  come  to  Washington  for  a  few 
months  or  weeks  during  the  session,  and  for  the  time 
of  their  stay  a  furnished  house  is  taken.  In  conse- 
quence there  is  little  style  about  the  mode  of  living. 
The  number  of  private  carriages  is  comparatively  few, 
and  people  are  afraid  of  bringing  good  horses  to  be 
ruined  by  the  rut-tracks  that  serve  the  purposes  of 
streets  in  Washington.  Even  according  to  the  Amer- 
ican standard  there  is  not  a  decent  hotel  in  the  whole 
place.  Willard's  and  the  National  are  two  large  ramb- 
ling barracks,  where  some  incredible  number  of  beds 
could  be  run  up ;  but  it  is  hard  to  say  which  is  the 
shabbiest  internally.  At  all  times  Willard's  is  the  house 
of  call  for  everybody  who  has  business  in  Washington. 
From  early  morning  till  late  at  night  its  lobbies  and 
passages  are  filled  with  a  motley  throng  of  all  classes 


COMPANY   AT   HOTELS.  583 

and  all  nations.  With  the  exception  of  the  President, 
there  is  not  a  statesman  or  a  general,  or  man  of  note 
of  any  kind  in  Washington,  whom  I  have  not  come 
across  at  different  times,  in  the  passages  of  Willard's. 
Soldiers  in  every  uniform,  privates  and  officers  thrown 
together  in  strange  confusion ;  congressmen  and  sen- 
ators, army  contractors  and  Jews  ;  artists,  newspaper 
writers,  tourists,  prize-fighters  and  gamblers,  were 
mixed  up  with  a  nondescript  crowd  of  men  who  seem 
to  have  no  business  except  to  hang  about  In  the 
parlors  there  was  a  like  confusion.  Half  a  dozen 
rough-looking  common  soldiers,  with  their  boots  en- 
cased in  deep  layers  of  Virginia  mud,  would  be  dozing 
w^ith  their  feet  hoisted  on  the  high  fenders  before  the 
fire.  At  the  tables  gentlemen  dressed  in  the  mouldy 
black  evening  suits  American  are  so  partial  to,  would 
sit  all  day  wu^iting  letters.  Knots  of  three  or  four  be- 
longing apparently  to  every  grade  of  society,  would 
be  standing  about  the  room  shaking  hands  constantly 
w^ith  new  comers,  introducing  everybody  to  everybody, 
and  adjourning  at  intervals  in  a  body  to  the  bar.  On 
the  floor  above,  splendidly  dressed  ladies  were  stroll- 
ing at  all  hours  about  the  passages,  chatting  with 
friends,  working,  playing,  and  flirting  with  smartly 
bedizened  officers  and  gay  young  diplomatists." 

^^  On  a  fine  bright  spring  day,  when  the  wooded 
banks  that  line  the  south  side  of  the  Potomac  Avero 
in  their  early  bloom,  I  have  tiiought  the  city  looked 
wondrously  bright;  but  on  nine  days  out  of  every 
ten,  the  climate  of  Washington  is  simply  detestable. 
When  it  rains,  the  streets  are  sloughs  of  liquid  mud ; 
even  in  the  paved  streets  the  stones  sink  into  the 


584  grant's  administration. 

ground  and  the  mud  oozes  up  between  them.  In  a 
couple  of  hours  from  the  time  the  rain  ceases,  the 
same  streets  are  enveloped  in  clouds  of  dust." 

An  anecdote  related  of  Governor  Randall  illustrates 
his  unostentatious  kindness.  One  dark  evening  an 
old  man  who  had  been  carrying  the  mail  from  the 
post-office  to  the  railway  station,  drove  his  horse  to 
the  side-walk.  "  I  say,  stranger,"  he  called  out, "  open 
that  gate  for  me  !  "  "  Certainly,"  replied  Mr.  Randall, 
and  he  immediately  pushed  the  gate  open.  "Now,'* 
said  the  old  man,  "  please  to  shut  the  gate  and  fasten 
it."  '^  Certainly,"  again  ansvrered  Mr.  Randall,  suit- 
ing the  action  to  the  word. 

Judge  Mason,  Avho  was  American  minister  to  Paris, 
had  taken  for  his  residence,  a  house  in  a  beautiful 
spot  facing  the  Champs  Elysees.  He  employed  a  tall 
colored  man,  of  the  true  Virginia  type,  who  had  been 
brought  out  fifteen  or  twenty  years  before  by  an 
American  minister,  and  had  remained  in  Europe  ever 
since,  in  the  service  of  American  ambassadors,  either 
in  Paris,  St.  Petersburg!!  or  Germany.  He  spoke 
French,  Russian  and  German,  and  his  manner  com- 
bined the  grace  and  politeness  of  a  French  dancing- 
master  with  the  faithful  devotion  of  a  well-trained  Vir- 
ginia servant.  It  did  his  countrymen  good  to  see  his 
honest  black  face  in  the  ante-chamber  of  Mr.  Mason, 
giving  them  an  agreeable  impression  of  home. 

Mrs.  Wolcott's  niece,  (page  30)  a  daughter  of  Gen- 
eral Collins  of  Guilford,  resided  with  her,  and  was 
called  "the  belle  of  Connecticut,"  so  distinguished 
was  she  for  her  beauty.  She  married  Mr.  Edward 
Jessup,  a  cousin  of  the  General  of  that  name.     A 


SOCIAL  PROSPECTS  OF  WASniNGTOX.     585 

great  grand-daughter  of  this  lady,  who  has  inherited 
some  of  her  charms  of  person,  is  now  one  of  the  court 
circle  at  Stockholm.  One  of  the  court  officials  writ- 
ing from  that  city  to  a  friend  in  New  York,  says :  "  The 
young  Countess  Rosen  shines  like  a  star  in  Stockholm 
society.  She  is  beloved  by  all  for  her  grace,  affability 
^nd  charm  of  manner,  even  as  she  attracts  all  by  her 
beauty  of  flice  and  form."  She  is  a  daughter  of  Mrs. 
Bloomfield  Moore  of  Philadelphia. 

The  social  prospects  of  Washington  have  been 
much  discussed,  and  rather  in  a  spirit  of  despond- 
ency. It  seems,  to  many,  unlikely  that  so  bril- 
liant a  period  as  the  ad^ninistration  of  Buchanan,  or 
those  of  some  of  his  predecessors,  will  again  enliven 
the  capital.  They  maintain  that  where  a  society 
is  so  widely  spread,  it  follows  the  law  of  fluids,  and 
becomes  the  shallower  the  more  it  is  diffused ;  also, 
that  the  intelligence,  high  culture,  and  fastidious 
taste  that  formerly  marked  the  best  circles,  have  of 
late  given  place  to  the  mere  love  of  display-,  pride  of 
w^ealth  and  sensuous  apprehension,  that  form  the  claim 
of  "the  newly  enriched"  or  elevated,  to  superior  con- 
sideration. There  is  no  doubt  of  the  tendency  of 
society  at  the  present  time  to  this  kind  of  deteriora- 
tion. The  example  of  New  York  and  other  commer- 
cial cities  shows  the  danscer.  It  may  not  be  long, 
some  aver,  before  Washington,  too,  may  be  an  arena 
merely  for  the  exhibition  of  vulgar  wealth,  and  ex- 
travagance in  dress  and  entertainments  may  become  a 
test  of  aristocratic  refinement.  There  are  a  few  con- 
servative elements  at  work,  however,  and  the  leaven 
may  suffice  to  prevent  the  whole  lump  from  settling 


586  grant's  xVDministratiox. 

into  a  siii2:f]rlsli  mass.  The  influence  of  forelo:ners  lias  a 
beneficial  effect;  and  when  the  Union  is  fully  restored, 
and  the  South  represented  as  it  should  be,  completely 
and  harmoniously,  the  balance  will  be  so  preserved  as 
to  lessen  the  peril  now  dreaded.  There  has  never 
been  in  Southern  communities,  a  tendency  to  undue 
honoring  of  riches  and  empty  show ;  the  ancient  Eng- 
lish prejudice  in  favor  of  blood,  remains,  and  among 
the  old  families,  a  gentle  bearing  and  careful  mental 
cultivation  are  held  essential  to  the  breeding  of  those 
who  lead  in  the  highest  sphere.  An  infusion  of  this 
spirit  will  do  good.  And  how  know  we  what  may  be 
done  by  the  influence  of  individuals !  If  the  days  of 
Cla}^,  Webster,  Calhoun  and  Mrs.  Madison  are  gone 
by — are  we  certain  that  we  ne'er  shall  look  upon 
their  like  again  !  May  we  not  hope  that  'other  royal 
intellects  may  lift  the  sceptre  now  idle  or  profaned ; 
that  other  gracious  and  benign  creatures  may  teach 
women  their  true  power  1  that  the  society  of  our  cap- 
ital may  again  be  what  it  has  been,  a  nursery  for  the 
noble  qualities  of  our  nature,  and  for  the  training  of 
gifted  minds,  where  greatness  mav  be  achieved  with- 
out the  sacrifice  of  principle ! 


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